U.S. patent number 8,434,863 [Application Number 12/803,732] was granted by the patent office on 2013-05-07 for eyeglasses with a printed circuit board.
The grantee listed for this patent is David Chao, Thomas A. Howell, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong. Invention is credited to David Chao, Thomas A. Howell, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong.
United States Patent |
8,434,863 |
Howell , et al. |
May 7, 2013 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Eyeglasses with a printed circuit board
Abstract
In one embodiment, an eyeglass frame includes a lens holder, a
first temple with a first end close to the lens holder and a second
end, a second temple, an electrical connector and a printed circuit
board. The printed circuit board with at least one electrical
component can be in the first temple. The connector can be close to
the first end of the first temple, facing downward, and
electrically connected to the at least one electrical component. In
another embodiment, an eyeglass frame includes a first printed
circuit board, with at least one electrical component. The first
printed circuit board can be connected to an electrical component
at the frame via a second printed circuit board.
Inventors: |
Howell; Thomas A. (Palo Alto,
CA), Chao; David (Saratoga, CA), Thomas; C. Douglass
(Saratoga, CA), Tong; Peter P. (Mountain View, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Howell; Thomas A.
Chao; David
Thomas; C. Douglass
Tong; Peter P. |
Palo Alto
Saratoga
Saratoga
Mountain View |
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
46326291 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/803,732 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20110102734 A1 |
May 5, 2011 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11546685 |
Oct 11, 2006 |
7806525 |
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11183256 |
Jul 15, 2005 |
7500747 |
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10964011 |
Oct 12, 2004 |
7192136 |
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60509631 |
Oct 9, 2003 |
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60527565 |
Dec 8, 2003 |
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60562798 |
Apr 15, 2004 |
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60583169 |
Jun 26, 2004 |
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60592045 |
Jul 28, 2004 |
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60605191 |
Aug 28, 2004 |
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60618107 |
Oct 12, 2004 |
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60620238 |
Oct 18, 2004 |
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60647836 |
Jan 31, 2005 |
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60647826 |
Jan 31, 2005 |
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60725896 |
Oct 11, 2005 |
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60725999 |
Oct 11, 2005 |
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60787850 |
Apr 1, 2006 |
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60846150 |
Sep 20, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
351/158;
351/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02C
11/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02C
1/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;351/158,41,121
;250/372,474 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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88203065 |
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Nov 1988 |
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CN |
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89214222.7 |
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Mar 1990 |
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CN |
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90208199.3 |
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Nov 1990 |
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CN |
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10123226 |
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Nov 2002 |
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DE |
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1134491 |
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Sep 2001 |
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EP |
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Jan 1984 |
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FR |
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Mar 1977 |
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GB |
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Jul 1983 |
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JP |
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JP |
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JP |
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JP |
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JP |
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Feb 2000 |
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JP |
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2002 341059 |
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Nov 2002 |
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JP |
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484711 |
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Jun 2001 |
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TW |
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WO 97/12205 |
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Apr 1997 |
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WO |
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WO 99/50706 |
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Oct 1999 |
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WO |
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2001/06298 |
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Jan 2001 |
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WO |
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WO 02/06881 |
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Jan 2002 |
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WO |
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WO 03/069394 |
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Aug 2003 |
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WO |
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WO 03/100368 |
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Dec 2003 |
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WO |
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WO 2004/012477 |
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Feb 2004 |
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WO |
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WO 2004/025554 |
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Mar 2004 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Dang; Hung
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/546,685, filed Oct. 11, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,525
and entitled "EYEGLASSES HAVING A CAMERA" which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference, which in turn is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/183,256, filed Jul. 15, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,747, and
entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference, which in turn is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/964,011, filed Oct. 12, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,136, and
entitled "TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES," which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference, which in turn claims
priority to each of: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/509,631, filed Oct. 9, 2003, and entitled "TETHERED ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 60/527,565,
filed Dec. 8, 2003, and entitled "ADAPTABLE COMMUNICATION
TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES," which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference; (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/562,798, filed Apr. 15, 2004, entitled "EYEWEAR WITH ULTRAVIOLET
DETECTION SYSTEM," and which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/583,169,
filed Jun. 26, 2004, entitled "ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR USE WITH
EYEWEAR, AND METHODS THEREFOR," and which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference; (v) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/592,045, filed Jul. 28, 2004, entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH A CLOCK
OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT," and which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference; and (vi) U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/605,191, filed Aug. 28, 2004, entitled "ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS FOR USE WITH EYEWEAR, AND METHODS THEREFOR," and which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,256 also claims priority to
each of: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/618,107,
filed Oct. 12, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,747 and entitled
"TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/620,238, filed Oct. 18, 2004, entitled
"EYEGLASSES WITH HEARING ENHANCED AND OTHER AUDIO SIGNAL-GENERATING
CAPABILITIES," and which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/647,836, filed Jan. 31, 2005, and entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH
HEART RATE MONITOR," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; and (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/647,826, filed Jan. 31, 2005, and entitled "EYEWEAR WITH
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/546,685 also claims priority to
each of: (i) U.S. provisional Patent Application No. 60/725,896,
filed Oct. 11, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,525 and entitled
"EYEGLASSES WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/725,999, filed Oct. 11, 2005, and entitled
"EYEWEAR SUPPORTING AFTER-MARKET ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS," which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iii) U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/787,850, filed Apr. 1, 2006, and entitled
"EYEGLASSES WITH A HEART RATE MONITOR," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; and (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/846,150, filed Sep. 20, 2006, and entitled
"EYEGLASSES WITH ACTIVITY MONITORING," which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
In addition, this application is related to each of: (i) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/822,218, filed Apr. 12, 2004, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,792,552 and entitled "EYEGLASSES FOR WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference;
(ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/964,011, filed Oct. 12,
2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,136, and entitled "TETHERED ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES," which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference; (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/006,343, filed
Dec. 7, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,976, and entitled "ADAPTABLE
COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (iv) U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/078,855, filed Mar. 11, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,746,
and entitled "EYEWEAR WITH RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM," which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference; (v) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/078,857, filed Mar. 11, 2005, now Abandoned
and entitled "RADIATION MONITORING SYSTEM," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (vi) U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/183,269, filed Jul. 15, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,936,
and entitled "EYEWEAR SUPPORTING AFTER-MARKET ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference;
(vii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,283, filed Jul. 15,
2005, now Abandoned and entitled "EVENT EYEGLASSES," which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference; (viii) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/183,262, filed Jul. 15, 2005, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,760,898 and entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH HEARING ENHANCED AND
OTHER AUDIO SIGNAL-GENERATING CAPABILITIES," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference; (ix) U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/183,263, filed Jul. 15, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,936,
and entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH A CLOCK OR OTHER ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (x)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,276, filed Jul. 15, 2005
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,437, and entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH ACTIVITY
MONITORING," which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and
(xi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/580,222, filed Oct. 11,
2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,581,833, and entitled "EYEGLASSES
SUPPORTING AFTER MARKET ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS", which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An eyeglass frame for a user, comprising: a lens holder; a first
temple, with a first end that is in proximity to the lens holder
and a second end that is further away from the lens holder; a
second temple; an electrical connector provided at the first temple
in a region closer to the first end than the second end of the
first temple, and configured to face downward relative to normal
wearing position of the frame, the electrical connector being
configured to receive a counterpart electrical connector associated
with an electronic apparatus; and a printed circuit board provided
in the first temple, the printed circuit board having at least one
electrical component attached thereon, wherein the electrical
connector is electrically connected to the at least one electrical
component attached on the printed circuit board.
2. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the lens holder
is configured to be secured to the first temple through a joint,
and wherein the eyeglass frame further comprises at least one
electrical component at the frame, the at least one electrical
component being separate from the printed circuit board, and
configured to be electrically connected to the at least one
electrical component attached on the printed circuit board.
3. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 2 wherein the at least one
electrical component at the frame is electrically connected to the
at least one electrical component attached on the printed circuit
board through the joint via a flexible printed circuit board.
4. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least
one electrical component at the frame comprises a sensor for
radiation.
5. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 4 further comprising a
side portion at the side of the first temple, between the lens
holder and the joint, wherein the sensor is provided at the side
portion.
6. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 5, wherein the sensor is
configured to face forward relative to normal wearing position of
the frame.
7. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the shape of at
least a part of the printed circuit board adapts to the shape of
the first temple.
8. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the shape of at
least a part of the printed circuit board follows at least a
curvature of the eyeglass frame.
9. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising an
area in the first temple or the second temple, the area being
configured to receive a battery to provide power to at least one
electrical component in the frame.
10. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising at
least one electrical component in the second temple operatively
coupled to the at least one electrical component attached on the
printed circuit board.
11. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising a
re-chargeable battery in the frame configured to be chargeable via
the electrical connector.
12. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising an
infrared sensor configured for point-to-point wireless
coupling.
13. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising a
selection mechanism configured to allow the user to indicate a
preference based on visual images provided to the user, the
preference selected being electronically stored in the frame.
14. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 13, wherein the selection
mechanism is at the first temple or the second temple of the
frame.
15. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising a
reset mechanism configured to allow the user deleting certain
information previously captured by a process via the frame, and
re-starting the process.
16. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 15, wherein the reset
mechanism is at the first temple or the second temple of the
frame.
17. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising a
structure configured to provide a curved region, with at least a
portion extending from the lens holder.
18. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 17, wherein the curved
region is configured to wrap around at least a portion of the head
of the user when the frame is worn.
19. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 17, wherein at least a
portion of at least one electrical component is in the
structure.
20. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 17 further comprising: a
wireless receiver configured to receive signals from a Bluetooth
network; at least one light emitting device configured to blink to
provide a notification; and another printed circuit board, which is
a flexible printed circuit board.
21. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 20, wherein the lens
holder includes at least one lens; and wherein at least one
electrical component is at least partially in the lens holder.
22. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 21, wherein at least a
portion of at least one electrical component is in the
structure.
23. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 22, wherein the shape of
the printed circuit board follows at least a curvature of the
frame.
24. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising at
least one electrical component at least partially in the lens
holder.
25. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising
another printed circuit board with at least another electrical
component attached thereon, wherein the at least another electrical
component is configured to be connected to the at least one
electrical component.
26. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 25 further comprising a
re-chargeable battery in the frame configured to be chargeable via
the electrical connector.
27. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising at
least one light emitting device configured to blink at a specific
sequence to provide a notification.
28. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 1 further comprising: an
area in the first temple or the second temple, the area being
configured to receive a battery to provide power to at least one
electrical component in the frame; a region between the lens holder
and the first temple; at least one electrical component operatively
coupled to the at least one electrical component attached on the
printed circuit board through the region via a flexible printed
circuit board; and a wireless receiver, wherein the shape of the
printed circuit board provided in the first temple adapts to at
least a curvature of the first temple, and wherein the eyeglass
frame is configured to be wirelessly coupled at least via the
wireless receiver to an electronic system.
29. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 28, wherein the
electronic system is a television.
30. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 28, wherein the
electronic system includes a computing device.
31. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 30 further comprising at
least one electrical component in the first temple configured to be
electrically coupled to at least one electrical component in the
second temple, and wherein the battery is a re-chargeable battery
configured to be chargeable via the electrical connector.
32. An eyeglass frame for a user, comprising: a first printed
circuit board provided in the frame, the first printed circuit
board having at least one electrical component attached thereon;
and a second printed circuit board configured to interconnect the
at least one electrical component attached on the first printed
circuit board to at least one electrical component provided at the
frame but separate from the first printed circuit board.
33. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32, wherein the shape of
at least a part of the first or the second printed circuit board
adapts to the shape of the eyeglass frame.
34. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 33 further comprising: a
first temple and a second temple; and a lens holder secured to the
first temple through a joint, wherein the first printed circuit
board is provided in the first temple, wherein the second printed
circuit board is further configured to interconnect the at least
one electrical component attached on the first printed circuit
board via the joint to the at least one electrical component at the
frame, wherein the second printed circuit board is a flexible
printed circuit board, and wherein in adapting to the shape of the
eyeglass frame, the shape of at least a part of the first printed
circuit board adapts to the shape of the first temple.
35. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 17 further comprising: a
first temple, wherein the first printed circuit board is in the
first temple; a second temple; a lens holder secured to the first
temple through a joint; a side portion at the side of the first
temple, between the lens holder and the joint; and at least one
electrical component provided at least partially in the side
portion, thus separate from the first printed circuit board, and
configured to be electrically connected to the at least one
electrical component attached on the first printed circuit
board.
36. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising an
area in the frame configured to receive a battery to provide power
to at least one electrical component in the frame.
37. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
first temple and a second temple; a lens holder between the first
temple and the second temple; a bridge approximately at the middle
of the lens holder; and a sensor for radiation at the bridge.
38. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising an
infrared sensor configured for wireless coupling.
39. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 38 further comprising: a
first temple, wherein the first printed circuit board is in the
first temple; a second temple; and at least one electrical
component in the second temple operatively coupled to the at least
one electrical component attached on the first printed circuit
board.
40. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 23 further comprising: an
electrical connector provided at the frame, the electrical
connector being configured to receive a counterpart electrical
connector, which is not a part of the eyeglass frame; and a
re-chargeable battery in the frame configured to be chargeable via
the electrical connector.
41. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising an
electrical connector provided at the frame, the electrical
connector being configured to receive a counterpart electrical
connector associated with an electronic apparatus, wherein the
electrical connector and the counterpart connector operate to
removably and electrically connect the electronic apparatus to the
eyeglass frame so that when connected, the counterpart electrical
connector is oriented downward and is mechanically secured to the
electrical connector at the eyeglass frame.
42. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
first side section including a first temple, wherein the first
printed circuit board is provided in the first side section; a
second side section including a second temple; a lens holder
provided in between the first side section and the second side
section; and at least one electrical component in the second side
section operatively coupled to the at least one electrical
component attached on the first printed circuit board.
43. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising a
selection mechanism configured to allow the user to indicate a
preference based on visual images provided to the user, the
preference selected being electronically stored in the frame.
44. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 43, wherein the frame
includes a temple, and wherein the selection mechanism is at the
temple of the frame.
45. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising a
reset mechanism configured to allow the user to delete certain
information previously captured by a process via the frame to allow
re-starting the process.
46. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 45, wherein the eyeglass
frame includes a temple, and wherein the reset mechanism is at the
temple of the frame.
47. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
lens holder; and a first temple, having a first end and a second
end, with the first end closer to the lens holder than the second
end, and with an end region at the second end, wherein at least a
portion of the first printed circuit board is provided in the end
region.
48. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
lens holder; a first temple; and a second temple, wherein the first
printed circuit board is provided in the first temple, and wherein
the second printed circuit board is provided in the second
temple.
49. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 48, wherein the shape of
at least a part of the first printed circuit board follows at least
a curvature of the first temple.
50. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising a
wireless receiver configured to receive signals from a Bluetooth
network.
51. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
lens holder; a first temple, having a first end and a second end,
with the first end closer to the lens holder than the second end,
and with an end region at the second end; and an electrical
connector at the end region, the electrical connector being
configured to receive a counterpart electrical connector, which is
not a part of the eyeglass frame.
52. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 51 further comprising a
cover that is configured to cover the electrical connector from
view.
53. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising a
lens holder; a first temple; a second temple; and a re-chargeable
battery provided in one of the first and second temples.
54. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
lens holder, with a bridge approximately at the middle of the lens
holder; and an electrical component provided in the bridge, the
electrical component being configured to be electrically coupled to
the at least one electrical component attached on the first printed
circuit board.
55. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 wherein the second
printed circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board.
56. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
first temple; and at least one light emitting device provided at
the first temple, with the at least one light emitting device being
configured to blink at a specific sequence to provide a
notification.
57. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
lens holder; and a shield coupled to the lens holder, wherein the
shield is configured to extend towards and wrap around at least a
portion of the head of the user when the frame is being worn by the
user.
58. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
lens holder; a first temple; a second temple; and a re-chargeable
battery provided in one of the first and second temples, wherein
the eyeglass frame includes at least a flexible printed circuit
board, and wherein the shape of at least a part of at least one of
the first and second printed circuit boards follows at least a
curvature of the eyeglass frame.
59. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 58 further comprising an
electrical connector, the electrical connector being configured to
receive a counterpart electrical connector, which is not a part of
the eyeglass frame.
60. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 59, wherein the first
temple has a first end and a second end, with the first end closer
to the lens holder than the second end, and with an end region at
the second end, wherein at least a portion of the first printed
circuit board is provided in the end region, and wherein the
electrical connector is at the end region.
61. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 58 further comprising: a
wireless receiver configured to receive signals from a Bluetooth
network; and at least one light emitting device being configured to
blink at a specific sequence to provide a notification.
62. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 58, wherein there is a
bridge approximately at the middle of the lens holder, and wherein
the eyeglass frame further comprises an electrical component
provided in the bridge, the electrical component being configured
to be electrically coupled to the at least one electrical component
attached on the first printed circuit board.
63. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 58 further comprising a
shield coupled to the lens holder, wherein the shield is configured
to extend towards and wrap around at least a portion of the head of
the user when the frame is being worn by the user.
64. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
lens holder; and a structure configured to provide a curved region,
with at least a portion extending from the lens holder.
65. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 64, wherein the curved
region is configured to wrap around at least a portion of the head
of the user when the frame is worn.
66. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 64, wherein at least a
portion of at least one electrical component is in or covered by
the structure.
67. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a
lens holder; and at least one electrical component at least
partially in or covered by the lens holder.
68. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising an
electrical connector that is configured to be electrically
connected to the at least one electrical component attached on the
first printed circuit board, wherein the electrical connector is
configured to receive a counterpart electrical connector, which is
not a part of the eyeglass frame.
69. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 68 further comprising a
re-chargeable battery in the frame configured to be chargeable via
the electrical connector.
70. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising at
least one light emitting device configured to blink to provide a
notification.
71. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 65 further comprising: a
wireless receiver configured to receive signals from a Bluetooth
network; and at least one light emitting device configured to blink
at a specific sequence to provide a notification, wherein the
second printed circuit board is a flexible printed circuit
board.
72. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 71, wherein the lens
holder includes at least one lens, and wherein at least one
electrical component is at least partially in or covered by the
lens holder.
73. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 72, wherein at least a
portion of at least one electrical component is in or covered by
the structure.
74. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 73, wherein the shape of
at least a part of the first printed circuit board follows at least
a curvature of the frame.
75. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 32 further comprising: at
least one light emitting device configured to provide a
notification; a selection mechanism configured to allow the user to
provide a selection, the selection provided being configured to be
electronically stored in the frame; and a wireless receiver,
wherein the eyeglass frame is configured to be wirelessly coupled
at least via the wireless receiver to an electronic system.
76. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 75, wherein the
electronic system includes a computing device.
77. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 76 further comprising: a
lens holder; a structure configured to provide a curved region,
with at least a portion extending from the lens holder, and with
the curved region configured to wrap around at least a portion of
the head of the user when the frame is worn; and at least a portion
of at least one electrical component is in or covered by the
structure.
78. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 77, wherein the lens
holder having at least one lens, wherein the eyeglass frame further
comprises at least one electrical component at least partially in
or covered by the lens holder, and wherein the wireless receiver is
configured to receive signals via a wireless network.
79. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 78 further includes at
least one speaker.
80. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 79 further comprising at
least one temple, wherein the at least one speaker extends from the
at least one temple.
81. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 78, wherein the wireless
network is a Bluetooth network.
82. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 76 further comprising: a
lens holder; a first temple, having a first end and a second end,
with the first end closer to the lens holder than the second end,
and with an end region at the second end; an electrical connector
being configured to receive a counterpart electrical connector,
which is not a part of the eyeglass frame; a second temple; at
least one electrical component in the first temple configured to be
electrically coupled to at least one electrical component in the
second temple; and a re-chargeable battery configured to be
chargeable via the electrical connector, wherein at least a portion
of the first printed circuit board is provided in the end
region.
83. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 82 further comprising at
least one electrical component at least partially in or covered by
the lens holder, wherein the wireless receiver is configured to
receive signals via a wireless network, wherein the shape of at
least a part of at least one of the first and second printed
circuit boards follows at least a curvature of the frame, and
wherein the electrical connector is at the end region.
84. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 83, wherein the wireless
network is a Bluetooth network.
85. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 76 further comprising: a
lens holder; a first temple connected to the lens holder; a side
portion between the lens holder and the first temple; at least one
electrical component provided at least partially in the side
portion; and an area in the frame configured to receive a battery
to provide power to at least one electrical component in the
frame.
86. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 85 further comprising at
least one electrical component at least partially in or covered by
the lens holder, wherein the shape of at least a part of at least
one of the first and second printed circuit boards follows at least
a curvature of the frame.
87. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 86 wherein the wireless
receiver includes an infrared sensor configured for wireless
coupling.
88. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 76 further comprising: a
structure configured to provide a curved region wrapping around at
least a portion of the head of the user when the frame is worn; and
at least a portion of at least one electrical component is in or
covered by the structure, wherein the frame further includes a
microphone, and a camera.
89. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 88 further comprising a
display and a motion sensor.
90. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 75, wherein the
electronic system is a television.
91. An eyeglass frame for a user, comprising: a first side section
including a first temple; a second side section including a second
temple; a lens holder provided in between the first side section
and the second side section; a bridge approximately at the middle
of the lens holder; a printed circuit board provided in the first
side section of the frame, the printed circuit board having at
least one electrical component attached thereon; a flexible printed
circuit board electrically connecting at least one electrical
component at the frame to the at least one electrical component
attached on the printed circuit board; a sensor for radiation being
provided at the bridge; and an area in the first side section or
the second side section, the area being configured to receive a
battery to provide power to at least one electrical component in
the frame, wherein the shape of at least a part of the printed
circuit board adapts to the shape of the eyeglass frame.
92. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 91 further comprising an
electrical connector provided at the first side section or the
second side section of the frame, the electrical connector being
electrically connected to the at least one electrical component
attached on the printed circuit board, and the electrical connector
being configured to face downward relative to normal wearing
position of the frame, and further being configured to receive a
counterpart electrical connector associated with an electronic
apparatus.
93. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 92 wherein the battery is
a re-chargeable battery configured to be chargeable via the
electrical connector.
94. An eyeglass frame for a user, comprising: a first temple; a
second temple; a lens holder secured to the first temple through a
joint, with the first temple having a first end that is in
proximity to the lens holder and a second end that is further away
from the lens holder; a side portion at the side of the first
temple, between the lens holder and the joint; a printed circuit
board provided in the first temple, the printed circuit board
having at least one electrical component attached thereon; a sensor
for radiation provided at the side portion of the frame, thus being
separate from the printed circuit board, the sensor being
configured to be electrically connected to at least one electrical
component attached on the printed circuit board through the joint
via a flexible printed circuit board, and further configured to
face forward relative to normal wearing position of the frame; and
an electrical connector provided at the first temple in a region
closer to the first end than the second end of the first temple,
the electrical connector being electrically connected to the at
least one electrical component attached on the printed circuit
board, and the electrical connector being configured to face
downward relative to normal wearing position of the frame, and
further being configured to receive a counterpart electrical
connector associated with an electronic apparatus, wherein the
shape of at least a part of the printed circuit board adapts to the
shape of the first temple.
95. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 94 further comprising an
area in the first temple or the second temple, the area being
configured to receive a battery to provide power to at least one
electrical component in the frame.
96. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 95 wherein the battery is
a re-chargeable battery configured to be chargeable via the
electrical connector.
97. An eyeglass system comprising: an eyeglass frame for a user,
comprising: a first printed circuit board provided in the frame,
the first printed circuit board having at least one electrical
component attached thereon; a second printed circuit board
configured to interconnect the at least one electrical component
attached on the first printed circuit board to at least one
electrical component provided at the frame but separate from the
first printed circuit board; at least one light emitting device
configured to provide a notification; a selection mechanism
configured to allow the user to provide a selection; and a wireless
receiver; and an electronic system configured to be wirelessly
coupled to the eyeglass frame at least via the wireless
receiver.
98. An eyeglass system as recited in claim 97, wherein the
electronic system includes a computing device.
99. An eyeglass system as recited in claim 98, wherein the eyeglass
frame further comprises: a lens holder; a structure configured to
provide a curved region, with at least a portion extending from the
lens holder, and with the curved region configured to wrap around
at least a portion of the head of the user when the frame is worn;
and at least a portion of at least one electrical component is in
or covered by the structure, wherein the shape of at least a part
of at least one of the first and second printed circuit boards
follows at least a curvature of the frame, and wherein the
selection provided is configured to be electronically stored in the
frame.
100. Any eyeglass system as recited in claim 89, wherein the
eyeglass frame further comprising: a lens holder; a first temple,
having a first end and a second end, with the first end closer to
the lens holder than the second end, and with an end region at the
second end; an electrical connector being configured to receive a
counterpart electrical connector, which is not a part of the
eyeglass frame; a second temple; at least one electrical component
in the first temple configured to be electrically coupled to at
least one electrical component in the second temple; and a
re-chargeable battery configured to be chargeable via the
electrical connector, wherein at least a portion of the first
printed circuit board is provided in the end region, wherein the
shape of at least a part of at least one of the first and second
printed circuit boards follows at least a curvature of the frame,
and wherein the selection provided is configured to be
electronically stored in the frame.
101. Any eyeglass system as recited in claim 98, wherein the
eyeglass frame further comprises: a lens holder; a first temple
connected to the lens holder; a side portion between the lens
holder and the first temple; at least one electrical component
provided at least partially in the side portion; and an area in the
frame configured to receive a battery to provide power to at least
one electrical component in the frame, and wherein the shape of at
least a part of at least one of the first and second printed
circuit boards follows at least a curvature of the frame.
102. An eyeglass system as recited in claim 97, wherein the
electronic system is a television.
103. An eyeglass system comprising: an eyeglass frame for a user,
comprising: a lens holder; a first temple, with a first end that is
in proximity to the lens holder and a second end that is further
away from the lens holder; a second temple; an electrical connector
provided at the first temple in a region closer to the first end
than the second end of the first temple, and configured to face
downward relative to normal wearing position of the frame, the
electrical connector being configured to receive a counterpart
electrical connector associated with an electronic apparatus; a
printed circuit board provided in the first temple, the printed
circuit board having at least one electrical component attached
thereon; an area in the first temple or the second temple, the area
being configured to receive a battery to provide power to at least
one electrical component in the frame; a region between the lens
holder and the first temple; at least one electrical component
operatively coupled to the at least one electrical component
attached on the printed circuit board through the region via a
flexible printed circuit board; and a wireless receiver, wherein
the shape of the printed circuit board provided in the first temple
adapts to at least a curvature of the first temple, and wherein the
electrical connector is electrically connected to the at least one
electrical component attached on the printed circuit board; and an
electronic system configured to be wirelessly coupled to the
eyeglass frame at least via the wireless receiver.
104. An eyeglass system as recited in claim 103, wherein the
electronic system is a television.
105. An eyeglass system as recited in claim 103, wherein the
electronic system includes a computing device.
106. An eyeglass system as recited in claim 105, wherein the
eyeglass frame further comprises at least one electrical component
in the first temple configured to be electrically coupled to at
least one electrical component in the second temple, and wherein
the battery is a re-chargeable battery configured to be chargeable
via the electrical connector.
107. An eyeglass frame for a user, comprising: a lens holder being
configured to be secured to a left temple and a right temple, with
the left temple having a first end and a second end, with the first
end closer to the lens holder than the second end, and with an end
region at the second end; a first printed circuit board provided in
the frame, the first printed circuit board having at least one
electrical component attached thereon; a second printed circuit
board configured to interconnect the at least one electrical
component attached on the first printed circuit board to at least
one electrical component provided at the frame but separate from
the first printed circuit board; at least one electrical component
at least partially in the lens holder and being configured to be
connected to at least another electrical component in the frame; at
least a part of an electrical connector being provided at the end
region, the electrical connector being configured to be
electrically connected to at least one electrical component
attached on the first printed circuit board, wherein the electrical
connector is configured to receive a counterpart electrical
connector, which is not a part of the eyeglass frame; a cover that
is configured to cover the electrical connector from view; a
re-chargeable battery configured to be chargeable via the
electrical connector, the rechargeable battery being configured to
provide power to at least one electrical component in the frame; a
wireless receiver configured to receive signals from a wireless
network; and at least one light emitting device being configured to
emit light to provide a notification, wherein at least a portion of
one of the printed circuit boards is provided in the end region,
and at least a portion of the other printed circuit board is
provided in the right temple, and wherein the eyeglass frame is
configured to communicate wirelessly at least via the wireless
receiver to an electronic system having a screen, the electronic
system being separate from the frame.
108. eyeglass frame as recited in claim 107, wherein the eyeglass
frame is configured to be operable as a frame for a fit-over
glasses.
109. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 107, wherein the
electronic system having a screen is a television, and the eyeglass
frame is configured to be operable as a frame for a fit-over
glasses.
110. An eyeglass frame for a user, comprising: a lens holder
provided in between a left side section and a right side section,
wherein the left side section includes a left temple, and a side
portion between the lens holder and the left temple, and wherein
the right side section includes a right temple; a bridge
approximately at the middle of the lens holder; a first printed
circuit board provided in the frame, the first printed circuit
board having at least one electrical component attached thereon; a
second printed circuit board configured to interconnect the at
least one electrical component attached on the first printed
circuit board to at least one electrical component provided at the
frame but separate from the first printed circuit board; at least
one electrical component provided at least partially in the side
portion, separate from at least the first printed circuit board,
and configured to be electrically connected to at least one
electrical component attached on the first printed circuit board;
at least a portion of a sensor for radiation at the bridge; at
least one electrical component, other than the sensor, at least
partially in the lens holder and being configured to be connected
to at least another electrical component in the frame; an area in
the frame configured to receive a battery to provide power to at
least one electrical component in the frame; and at least one light
emitting device being configured to emit light to provide a
notification, wherein at least one electrical component in the left
side section is configured to be electrically coupled to at least
one electrical component in the right side section, and wherein the
eyeglass frame is configured to communicate wirelessly at least via
one electrical component in the eyeglass frame to an electronic
system having a screen, the electronic system being separate from
the frame.
111. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 110, wherein the
eyeglass frame is configured to be operable as a frame for a
fit-over glasses.
112. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 110, wherein the
electronic system with a screen is a television, and the eyeglass
frame is configured to be operable as a frame for a fit-over
glasses.
113. An eyeglass frame for a user, comprising: a temple; a lens
holder configured to be secured to the temple; a bridge
approximately at the middle of the lens holder; a structure
configured to provide a curved region, with at least a portion of
the structure extending from the lens holder, wherein the curved
region is configured to wrap around at least a portion of the head
of the user when the frame is worn; a first printed circuit board
provided in the frame, the first printed circuit board having at
least one electrical component attached thereon; a second printed
circuit board configured to interconnect the at least one
electrical component attached on the first printed circuit board to
at least one electrical component provided at the frame but
separate from the first printed circuit board; at least a portion
of at least one electrical component being in or covered by the
structure; a sensor for radiation in the frame, the sensor being
located in the vicinity of the bridge; at least one electrical
component, other than the sensor, at least partially in the lens
holder and being configured to be connected to at least another
electrical component in the frame; an area in the frame configured
to receive a battery to provide power to at least one electrical
component in the frame; and at least one light emitting device
being configured to emit light to provide a notification, wherein
the second printed circuit board is a flexible printed circuit
board, and wherein the eyeglass frame is configured to communicate
wirelessly at least via one electrical component in the eyeglass
frame to an electronic system having a screen, the electronic
system being separate from the frame.
114. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 113, wherein the
eyeglass frame is configured to be operable as a frame for a
fit-over glasses.
115. An eyeglass frame as recited in claim 113, wherein the
electronic system having a screen is a television, and the eyeglass
frame is configured to be operable as a frame for a fit-over
glasses.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to glasses and more
particularly to glasses utilizing electrical components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many of us have experienced the inconvenience of trying to listen
to a piece of music from a portable device in an outdoor
environment, particularly in cold weather. First, we remove the
device from inside our jacket. Then, we take off our gloves to find
the right song, connect the device to a headset, and put on the
headset. After we have finished listening, we go through the
process again to put the device back into our jacket. To a certain
degree, we are somewhat used to such procedures. However, to look
at this objectively, going through the multi-step process just to
listen to a piece of music is cumbersome. Such inconvenient
procedures are not limited to hearing music. For example, it may
not be much easier for us to use the cell phones or cameras and the
like.
It should be apparent from the foregoing that there is still a need
to increase the ease of handling electronic devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, an eyeglass frame includes a lens holder, a
first temple with a first end close to the lens holder and a second
end further away, a second temple, an electrical connector and a
printed circuit board. The printed circuit board with at least one
electrical component attached thereon can be provided in the first
temple. The connector can be provided close to the first end of the
first temple, facing downward, and configured to be electrically
connected to the at least one electrical component.
In another embodiment, an eyeglass frame includes a first printed
circuit board with at least one electrical component. The first
printed circuit board can be connected to an electrical component
at the frame via a second printed circuit board.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates by way
of example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention with a speaker in one
of the temples of the glasses.
FIG. 2 shows a tube extending from a speaker at a temple of the
glasses to guide sound to one of the ears of the user according to
one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 shows a retractable tube extending from a speaker at a
temple of the glasses according to one embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 4 shows a funnel at the output of a speaker in the glasses
according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 shows a male connector at the end of a temple according to
one embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a process to make a non-standard female plug
couple to a male connector at a pair of glasses according to one
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates another non-standard connector, applicable to
clamp onto a temple of a pair of glasses according to an embodiment
of the invention.
FIGS. 8A-8E shows different embodiments of standard connectors
located at different positions on the temple of a pair of glasses
according to the invention.
FIGS. 8F-8H are diagrams pertaining to providing a removable
electronic device with an eyeglass frame according to one
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8I is a diagram of a temple of an eyeglass frame according to
another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 shows some of the electrical components for a MP3 player
according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention where a user is
wearing a pair of glasses with electrical components, tethered to a
base, which is connected to a portable device.
FIGS. 11A-11B show different embodiments of the present invention
illustrating some of the electrical components for wireless
connections to a pair of glasses.
FIG. 12 shows a process for a personalized radio according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 shows a number of attributes of control knobs according to
different embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 14 shows some of the electrical components for capturing
images with a pair of glasses according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 15 shows an operation of taking actions based on images
captured with a pair of glasses with wireless transceiver
capability according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 16 shows an operation to provide messages to a user based on
images captured by a pair of glasses according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 17A is a chart that depicts examples of sensors in a pair of
glasses according to different embodiments of the present
invention.
FIG. 17B is a diagram of a temple arrangement according to one
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 17C is a diagram of a cover that at least partially covers a
temple according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 17D is a diagram of a fit-over temple that at least partially
fits over a temple according to one embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 18 shows an embodiment including an eye mask according to the
invention.
FIG. 19 shows an embodiment including a night cap according to the
invention.
FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating a temple having a slot for
receiving a removable electronic device according to one embodiment
of the invention.
FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating the temple having a recessed
lower portion according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams illustrating a pair of glasses
having a camera coupled thereto, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a diagram of a pair of glasses having a camera according
to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 23A is a diagram of a pair of glasses having a camera
according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 23B is a diagram of the pair of glasses according to another
embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a side view of a pair of eyeglasses according to another
embodiment of the invention.
Same numerals in FIGS. 1-24 are assigned to similar elements in all
the figures. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
reference to FIGS. 1-24. However, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with
respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A number of embodiments according to the present invention
regarding glasses with one or more electrical components attached,
partially embedded or fully embedded are described. Many of them
are applicable to different types of glasses, such as sunglasses,
auxiliary frames, fit-over glasses, prescription glasses, safety
glasses, swim masks, and goggles, such as ski goggles. In a number
of embodiments, the frames of the glasses have more surface area
than frames with minimal structure. For example, the temple regions
of the glasses can have a tapered profile. They are wider or
broader when they are closer to the lens holders. Then they get
narrower. In one embodiment, a wider or broader temple implies that
the temple spans across a wider or broader area longitudinally down
from the top of the head of the user. FIG. 1 shows an example of
such an embodiment.
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment 100 of the invention where there is a
speaker 102 at least partially embedded in one of the temples 104
of the glasses 106. The speaker 102 is closer to one end of the
temple 104 than the other end. The end of the temple that the
speaker 102 is closer to is the end that is in the vicinity of the
lens holder or the hinge of the glasses 106, instead of the end 108
that is free. The speaker can be partially embedded in the glasses.
For example, the mouth of the speaker, where sometimes there can be
small holes on a cover, can be exposed.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the speaker 102 outputs audio
signals in the direction towards the user. In another embodiment,
the speaker 102 outputs audio signals in the direction away from
the user. For example, the mouth of the speaker 102 can be facing
outwards away from the user.
There are different approaches to embed an electrical component
into a pair of glasses. For example, the glasses can be made of
plastic (e.g., plastic frames). One way to produce such frames is
to first assemble electrical components onto a circuit board. The
circuit board can be shaped to fit, for example, the temple of the
glasses. The circuit board is placed into a mold. Then, hot, molten
plastic is injected around the circuit board to form the temple
piece of the glasses. To reduce weight, the wall of the glasses can
be made relatively thin through injection molding techniques.
In another embodiment, the glasses have metallic frames. For
example, the frames can be made of Titanium, which is a relatively
light metal. Also, Titanium is relatively non-conductive and
strong, and is quite immune to corrosion. Further, Titanium can be
anodized or heat colored.
For glasses with metallic frames, to prevent circuits from being
shorted or to reduce leakage current, one embodiment provides an
insulating layer between the electrical components or circuit board
and the metallic frames. One example of an insulting layer is a
tape to encapsulate the electrical components. The tape is
non-conducting so as to provide insulation and, to a certain
degree, can also provide mechanical stiffness. One way to make such
temples is to have two sheets of the metal die-stamped to form the
two halves, or the two faces of the temple piece. A circuit board
is made to fit into the space between the faces. Then, two die-cut
pieces of insulator material (e.g., dielectric tape) can cover the
top and the bottom surfaces of the circuit board. The board is then
sandwiched between the faces to form the temple. In one example,
the dielectric tape can be double-sided sticky tape, with one side
sticking to the circuit board, and the other side sticking to the
temple. An adhesive can be used to glue the two faces of the temple
piece together.
In yet another embodiment, the frames are made of hard rubber. The
frames can be manufactured in an approach similar to injection
molding techniques, with circuit boards inserted into the mold
along with the rubber at the time of molding.
Different types of speakers can be used, such as, standard,
fixed-magnet/moving coil speakers; speakers with fixed-coil and a
steel diaphragm; piezo-electric speakers; and electrostatic
speakers.
In one embodiment, the glasses further include a tube, such as a
plastic tube, extending from a speaker. The tube serves to guide
sound generated by the speaker to one of the ears of the user. FIG.
2 shows an embodiment where a tube 150 is located on the outside of
a temple 152. In another embodiment, the tube can be on the inside
of a temple.
In one embodiment, the tube 150 can be rotated, such as from behind
the temple 152 (if the tube is on the inside of the temple) to
being downward at an angle towards one of the ears of the user,
such as the position shown in FIG. 2. To increase flexibility, the
tube can be attached to a rotating disk 154, which allows rotation
about the speaker.
In another embodiment, the tube is malleable. This allows the tube
to be placed in different positions.
In one embodiment, the length of the tube is adjustable. FIG. 3
shows such an embodiment 200 of a pair of glasses with a
retractable tube 202. In the figure, the tube is shown to be in its
extended position.
To further enhance sound coupling, in one approach, there is a plug
156 at the end of the tube for inserting into an ear of the user.
The plug can be an ear bud. The plug can provide a cushion, foam
rubber or other materials. Such materials give comfort and/or
enhance sound coupling to the ear canal.
In another approach, there is a funnel at the output of the
speaker. FIG. 4 shows the cross section of such a funnel from a
speaker at a temple region of the glasses. As shown in FIG. 4, the
speaker 254 sits on a speaker frame 252, and the speaker 254 is
electrically connected to a circuit board 256. As sound is
generated from the speaker 254, the sound propagates to a tube 258
through a structure 260 in the shape of a funnel. Such a structure
helps guide the sound to the tube (i.e., improved sound coupling).
Also, FIG. 4 shows the tube, which can be the tube 150 shown in
FIG. 2, mounted onto the temple region of the glasses with a
circular lip 262. Such a lip 262 allows the tube 258 to rotate
relative to the glasses. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the
speaker 254 is fully embedded in the glasses.
As an alternative to or in conjunction with the tube, the glasses
can include a channel to likewise guide sound generated by the
speaker to one of the ears of the user. For example, the channel
can be formed within a temple. The temple also has an opening to
output the sound towards the user's ear.
FIG. 1 shows one speaker at one of the temples. There can be more
than one speaker at each temple. In one embodiment, there can also
be at least one speaker at each temple. The two speakers can
generate stereo effects.
In another embodiment, the glasses can provide four or more
speakers to give a high fidelity sound or a surround sound effect.
For example, each temple can include one speaker in front of the
user's ear, and one speaker behind the user's ear. The different
speakers can generate different portions or sections of the sound.
Further, if a base (discussed below) or portable electronic device
is coupled to the glasses, the base or portable electronic device
can contain another speaker, such as a base or woofer speaker. Such
embodiments enable the glasses to provide a personal high-fidelity
sound or a surround-sound environment.
Electrical signals can be coupled to an electrical component, such
as a speaker, in a pair of glasses through a number of mechanisms.
In one embodiment, there is an electrical connector at least
partially embedded in the glasses. In other words, at least a
portion of the connector is inside the glasses. The connector is
electrically coupled to the speaker (or other electrical component)
by, for example, a conductor. The conductor can be on a
printed-circuit board. In one embodiment, the conductor is also
embedded in the glasses.
Regarding connectors, FIG. 5 shows one embodiment where the
connector is not a standard connector. The end 108 of the temple
104 of the glasses 106 shown in FIG. 1 has a similar connector. In
FIG. 5, the connector is a male plug or a male connector 300 at the
end of a temple 302 of a pair of glasses. The connector 300 is
connected to the speaker through, for example, one or more wires
embedded in the temple. Electrical signals external to the glasses
can then be coupled to the speaker (or other electrical component)
through the plug.
As shown in FIG. 5, the free end of the temple 302 can have a
relatively flat cross section. There can be one or more
electrically-conductive contacts, such as 304 and 306, on one or
both of the flat surfaces of the temple. In FIG. 5, four contacts
are shown on one surface of the temple. The contacts, 304 and 306,
can be metal pads or bumps.
In one embodiment, a non-standard connector can be made using
printed-circuit board technologies. First, a printed-circuit board
with printed conductors connected to metal contact bumps is
produced. Then plastic is overmolded around the printed-circuit
board, with the mold designed to shut off around the bumps or pads.
The overmolded plastic can serve as the temple, and the pads would
be left exposed. Thus, portions of the printed circuit board are
covered by plastic, and areas with the bumps or pads are exposed
for connection. These pads serve as the connectors for the
glasses.
Regarding printed-circuit boards, there can be one or more circuit
boards in the glasses. For example, there can be a circuit board in
one of the temples of the glasses. Or, the circuits can be divided
into two circuit boards, one in each temple of the glasses. The
circuit boards can carry additional electrical components to be
described below.
In one embodiment, the circuit boards are rigid. In another
embodiment, the circuit boards are made of flexible materials, such
as a polyimide sheet, like Kapton.RTM.. In one embodiment, the
circuit board is configured or adapts to the shape of the temple in
which it resides.
As shown in FIG. 5, the end of the temple 302 serves as a male
connector (plug) 300. The non-standard male connector 300 can be
received by a non-standard female connector (plug) 310. Typically,
the female connector 310 makes electrical and physical connection
through grabbing around the male plug. The female connector 310 can
be connected to a cable 312.
FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a process to make the non-standard female
plug 310. First, an electrical wire 354 is attached to a small
sheet or piece of metal 356. FIG. 6A shows a number of such wires,
with a number of the metal sheets or pieces crimped to a hard PVC
358. The figure shows the back side of the crimped board with the
wires and with a number of holes, such as 360. Then the frame is
overmolded with a soft PVC. FIG. 6B shows a cross section of the
overmolded frame 362 with the soft PVC. As shown in the figure, a
number of the metal sheets, such as 364 and 366, are exposed. They
are the metal contacts in the female connector 310. Instead of the
above approach, alternatively, a wire can be attached to a sheet of
metal by putting the wire between the metal and the plastic as the
metal is crimped onto a plastic. When the temple (i.e., male
connector 300) is inserted into the female plug, the soft PVC
material stretches slightly, providing a spring-force to keep the
contacts connected.
The hard PVC can have a hardness of over 80 durometer, while the
soft PVC can have a hardness of less than 50 durometer. The hard
PVC can be replaced by other materials, such as Polypropylene or
cloth. The soft PVC can be replaced by Silicone, or a
thermo-plastic elastomer, such as Kraton.RTM..
Referring to both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6B, when the male connector 300
is inserted into the slot 314 of the female connector 310, the
metal pads, 304 and 306, will get in contact, or mate, with the
metal sheets, 364 and 366.
In one embodiment, as long as the male connector 300 is pushed all
the way into the female connector 310, the pads are aligned
correctly to the sheets for electrical connections. In another
embodiment, there is an alignment mechanism to guide the position
of the temple relative to the female connector so as to ensure the
conductive sheets to be in contact with the conductive pads. For
example, there can be a registration location to indicate that the
male connector is at the appropriate position relative to the
female connector. There can be an alignment extension, which can be
a partial sphere, close to the end of the temple 302, such as
between the pads 304 and 306, at 316. And, there can be a
corresponding alignment notch at the female connector 310. When the
extension is received or caught by the notch, the male connector
300 is in the appropriate position relative to the female connector
310. In other words, the alignment is proper, and the pads and the
sheets are in contact.
FIG. 5 shows the non-standard male connector 300 at one end of a
temple of a pair of glasses. In yet another embodiment, a
non-standard connector can be at another location. FIG. 7 shows
another example of a non-standard connector 400. The connector 400
includes one or more conductive pads, 412 and 414, on the top side
of a temple 402. The connector 400 is designed to receive another
connector 406 that grabs onto the side of the temple 402. There can
be an indentation 404 on the temple 402 to receive the other
connector 406. The other connector 406 can include a top 420 and a
bottom 416 clip. There are a number of conductive pads or sheets
inside the other connector 406. The indentation 404 provides an
alignment to indicate where the top clip 420 of the other connector
406 should grab onto the temple 402 for connection. At that
position, the conductive pads at the temple will be in contact with
the conductive pads or sheets at the other connector 406. There can
also be another indentation 418 at the temple 402 to receive the
bottom clip 416. This can further enhance the alignment process and
to secure the connection.
In FIG. 7, the other connector 406 is coupled to one end of a cord
and a plug 408, which can be inserted into a portable device 410,
can be connected to another end of the cord. The portable device,
for example, can be a cell phone. This type of non-standard
clip-type connector could be easily applied to the temple with one
hand, for example, while the user is driving a car.
A number of non-standard connectors have been described. In another
embodiment, the contacts are based on standard connectors, which
can be off-the-shelf connectors. FIGS. 8A-8E show a number of
examples of such connectors.
In one embodiment, the standard connector is a standard cylindrical
plug located at the end of a temple. From a different perspective,
the temple molds around the end of the plug. FIG. 8A shows one such
embodiment. The plug 450 can be a standard audio connector or a
3-wire or three terminal plug, such as a 3.5 mm male stereo
mini-phone plug. The 3 wires for such a plug are typically one for
ground, the other two applicable for two signals, such as for
creating stereo effects. FIG. 8A also shows the three wires, 452,
454 and 456, inside the temple, extended from the plug 450. These
wires are for connection to electrical components of the
glasses.
In one embodiment, the cylindrical plug 450 shown in FIG. 8A can be
protected, encapsulated or shrouded. Or, at least a portion of the
plug is protected, encapsulated or shrouded. Such protection can,
for example, be for aesthetic reasons, or to prevent the plug from
scratching the face of the user when the user is putting on the
pair of glasses. In FIG. 8A, the plug 450 is partially embedded in
a temple.
Instead of a three terminal plug, other types of standard
cylindrical plugs applicable to different embodiments of the
present invention include a serial connector with 3 pins, typically
one for ground, one for transmitting data (Tx) and the third for
receiving data (Rx); or (b) a 2-wire connector, one served as
ground, the other for carrying, such as power and modulated
signals.
In yet another embodiment, instead of a cylindrical plug, the
standard connector at the end of a temple of a pair of glasses is a
USB or a FIREWIRE connector.
A number of embodiments have been described where the standard
connector(s) at the glasses are male connectors. In yet another
embodiment, the standard connector(s) in the glasses are female
connectors. For example, there can be a 3.5 mm female stereo
mini-phone plug at the end of a temple of a pair of glasses. At
least a portion of the female connector can be protected,
encapsulated or shrouded. For example, the female connector can be
recessed within the end of a temple.
FIGS. 8B-8E show different examples of standard connectors located
or partially embedded not at the end of a temple of a pair of
glasses, but, for example, on the side of the temple, such as on
the inside surface or the outside surface of a temple. FIG. 8B
shows a 0.10'' header plug 460, commonly known as a MOLEX
connector, on such a surface. FIG. 8C shows a female mini-phone
plug 465 on such a surface. FIG. 8D shows a card connector 470 to
receive a card 472, such as a removable media card (e.g., memory
card). There can be a cover 474 to secure and/or protect the media
card 472 in place after it is inserted into the card connector 470.
FIG. 8E shows a female USB connector 480 on the inside surface of a
temple 482 to receive a male USB connector 484.
FIGS. 8F-8H are diagrams pertaining to providing a removable
electronic device with an eyeglass frame according to one
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8F illustrates a temple 490 that
includes a connector 492. The connector 492 includes an opening
494. A removable electronic device can be coupled to the temple 490
using the connector 492. More particularly, FIG. 8G illustrates a
removable electronic device 496 that includes an electronic device
housing 498 and a connector 499. As an example, the removable
electronic device 496 can be a memory storage device, sometimes
referred to as a memory card. FIG. 8H illustrates the removable
electronic device 496 coupled to the temple 490. The removable
electronic device 496 is coupled to one side of the temple 490,
such side can be either an inside or outside surface of the
eyeglass frame. When the removable electronic device 496 is coupled
to the temple 490, the connector 499 of the removable electronic
device 496 is inserted into the opening 494 of the connector 492.
Physical forces between the connector 499 and the connector 492
operate to secure the removable electronic device 496 to the temple
490, yet permit the removable electronic device 496 to be removable
therefrom.
In one embodiment, the connector 492 is not electrically connected
to any electronic circuitry within the temple 490 or other parts of
the eyeglass frame. In other words, the connector 492 provides a
convenient means by which removable electronic devices can be
coupled to the eyeglass frame. In another embodiment, the connector
492 can be coupled to electrical circuitry within the temple 490 or
elsewhere within the eyeglass frame. Such an embodiment allows the
electronic components within the removable electronic device 496 to
be utilized with the electrical circuitry within the temple 490 or
elsewhere within the eyeglass frame. For example, the removable
electronic device 496 can provide data storage and/or other
software modules to be utilized by or to utilize the other
electrical circuitry within the temple 490 or elsewhere within the
eyeglass frame. In any case, by attaching the removable electronic
device 496 to the temple 490 (and thus the eyeglass frame), the
removable electronic device 496 is able to be conveniently carried
by the user of the eyeglass frame. In one implementation, the
eyeglass frame, which includes the connector 492, becomes a docking
station for the removable electronic device 496. As such, a variety
of different removable electronic devices can be interconnected
with the eyeglass frame, as desired. For example, the eyeglass
frame can thus support different function or operations depending
on the removable electronic device that is attached. For example,
the eyeglass frame might operate as a camera, data storage device,
FM radio, MP3 player, mobile telephone, pedometer, hearing
enhancer, sun sensor, time piece, etc.
In one embodiment, the removable electronic device 496 can align
itself with the orientation of the temple 490, such as shown in
FIG. 8H. In FIG. 8G, the electronic device housing 498 can be said
to have an elongated housing. The configuration (e.g., shape)
and/or color of the removable electronic device 496 can also be
designed to conform or complement the design of the temple 490. In
one embodiment, the temple 490 might also have a recessed region to
allow the portable electronic device to be less visually
perceptible when attached to the temple 490 or to provide a more
consistent contour of the temple 490.
In one embodiment, the connector 499 is a male connector, and the
connector 492 is a female connector or a similarly sized structure.
In one implementation the connector 499 is a peripheral bus
connector, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. In such
cases, the connector 492 can also be a peripheral bus connector
(either electrically functional or non-functional as noted
above).
Although the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8F-8H utilize
connectors, namely, electrical connectors, the removable electronic
device 496 could be attached to the temple in other ways. For
example, other means to provide physical forces to hold the
removable electronic device 496 in place can be used.
FIG. 8I is a diagram of a temple of an eyeglass frame according to
another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the temple
490' includes an opening 491 through which a cable 493 extends
outward. The cable 493 has an electrical connector 495 connected at
its end. The electrical connector 495 is electrically connected to
electrical circuits within the temple 490' or elsewhere within the
eyeglass frame such as by way of one or more wires contained within
the cable 493. In one implementation, the length of the cable 493
is about one to four inches. The temple 490' shown in FIG. 8I also
includes a receptacle 497. The receptacle 497 is affixed to or
integral with the temple 490 to receive the electrical connector
495. Typically, the receptacle 497 provides a holding mechanism for
the electrical connector 495 when not been utilized. When the
electrical connector 495 is being utilized, the electrical
connector 495 is removed from the receptacle 497 and coupled to a
corresponding counterpart connector of another electrical device.
The cord 493 can provide ease-of-use so that the electrical
connector 495 can be maneuvered to couple to the counterpart
connector. In one embodiment, the temple 490' can provide a recess
for receiving the entire cable 493, with the outer surface of the
receptacle 497 being substantially flush to the surface of the
temple 490. So when the connector 495 is not in use, the connector
495 can be in the receptacle 497, with the cable 493 in the recess.
In one embodiment, when the cable 493 is in the recess and the
connector 495 inside the receptacle 497, the cable 493 has
substantially no slack. Also, in another embodiment, the cable 493
can be retractable into the opening 491. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 8I, the electrical connector 495 is a male connector, and the
receptacle 497 is a female connector or a similarly sized
structure.
A number of standard and non-standard connectors have been
described. Other types of connectors can also be used. In one
embodiment, there is a connector adapter, which serves to transform
such other type of connectors to a different interface. For
example, an adapter can be a cord with one type of connector at one
end and a different type of connector at the other end.
In one or more of the above embodiments, the glasses can access
audio signals from another device through a connector at the
glasses. The another device can be a multimedia asset players or a
radio.
In one embodiment of the invention, the glasses have a storage
medium (i.e., memory). The memory can be on a printed-circuit board
and, for example, store 256 MBs or more. The memory can be a
built-in or removable flash memory. The memory can be coupled to a
device external to the glasses through one or more connectors at
the glasses. As an example, a 256 MB flash memory is in one of the
temples of a pair of glasses, and there is a USB connector at the
free end of that temple to couple to an external device.
With the embedded storage medium, the glasses can upload
information in the memory to or download information into the
memory from an external device, such as a computer. A user can plug
the glasses into the computer through a connector, either directly,
or indirectly, with, for example, an intermediate wire in between.
The user can store files in the glasses. Such an embodiment should
reduce the chances of the user losing the files because the user
has to lose the glasses as well.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a pair of glasses
includes a multimedia asset player, such as a MP3 player. FIG. 9
shows some of the electrical components for a MP3 player 500
according to an embodiment of the invention. The player 500
includes a speaker 502 and a data bus 512, which facilitates data
transfer among, for example, a processor 506, a storage device 510,
and a coder/decoder (CODEC) 504. The processor 506, which can be a
microprocessor or controller, controls the operation of the player
500. The storage device 510 stores the multimedia assets, such as
MP3 files, or other types of media data that are appropriately
formatted. In one example, the MP3 files are digitally encoded
songs or other types of audio signals. The storage device 510 can
include a number of separate storage elements. For example, the
device 510 can be a flash memory device, or a minidisk device, and
a cache, which can improve the access time and reduce power
consumption of the storage device. The storage device 510 typically
also includes a Read-Only Memory (ROM), which stores programs,
utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The
player 500 can also include a RAM, such as for the cache.
Once a media asset, such as a song, is selected to be played, the
processor 506 would supply the asset to the CODEC 504, which
decompresses the asset and produces analog output signals for the
speaker 502. In one embodiment, the bus 512 is also coupled to an
input/output device 508, which would allow a user to upload songs
in the glasses to an external instrument, such as a computer, or
download songs from the instrument to the glasses.
There are different approaches to select a song. In one embodiment,
the songs or the media assets can be categorized in the MP3 player,
and the categorization can be hierarchical, with multiple levels in
the hierarchy. To illustrate, assume that there are three levels.
The top level can be the name of the singer; the second level can
be the time period when the asset was produced, and the third level
can be the names of the songs. The entries, such as the name of the
singer, can be abbreviated. There can be a small display and a
control knob to allow a user to scroll down entries in a level. By
pushing the knob, the user selects an entry, which can lead the
user to a lower level. There can be an entry for moving up a level
also. In another embodiment, the display is a touch-screen display,
allowing entries to be entered directly on the display. In yet
another embodiment, entries can be selected based on voice
recognition.
A number of embodiments have been described with the glasses having
a connector. In one embodiment, the glasses can have more than one
connector. For example, a pair of glasses with two connectors also
has a speaker. One connector is, for example, at a broad side of a
temple, as in FIG. 8D. The connector can be for coupling to
multimedia assets of a MP3 player. Another connector is, for
example, at the end of a temple, as in FIG. 8A. That connector can
couple power to the glasses. The speaker can play the multimedia
assets accessed from one connector, based on power from another
connector.
As described, power (e.g., external power source) can be coupled to
the glasses through a connector. In one embodiment, the power
source is embedded inside or inserted into the glasses. Different
types of power sources are applicable. For example, the power
source can be a battery, a fuel cell, a solar cell, or a
re-chargeable battery. The rechargeable battery can be charged
through a connector at the glasses.
In an earlier application, namely, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/509,631, filed Oct. 9, 2003, and entitled
"TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES," which has been
incorporated herein by reference, there can be a base connected to
the glasses through a cord. The cord can be just a piece of
flexible conductor encapsulated by a flexible insulator. Typically,
a cord includes a number of electrical wires or conductors. There
can be one or more electrical components in the base, and there can
also be one or more electrical components in the cord. The
different types of connectors previously described can be located
in the base. In one embodiment, a power source is an electrical
component in the base tethered to a pair of glasses. In another
embodiment, the glasses are tethered to a base that has a
connector. The connector is connected to and draws power from an
external electronic device. In this embodiment, electrical
components in the glasses draw power from the external electronic
devices.
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment where a user 550 is wearing a pair of
glasses 552, which include electrical components. There are also
tethered electrical components in a base 554, which is connected to
the glasses 552 through a cord 556. In addition, there is a wire
558 connected to a connector at the base 554 to a portable
electronic device 560. The portable device 560 can be (a) a
multimedia device, such as a MP3 player/recorder or a minidisk
players, (b) a wireless communication device, such as a cell phone,
or (c) a personal digital assistant, or other types of portable
devices with computing and/or entertaining and/or communication
capabilities.
Note that instead of connecting to the portable electronic device
560 through the base 554, in another embodiment, the glasses 552
directly connect to the portable device 560 through a cord.
In one embodiment, there is an attachment device 562, such as a pin
or clip. The attachment device attaches at least a part of the
glasses to the user's clothing. The attachment device 562 can serve
to attach the cord 556 and/or the wire 558 and/or the base 554 to
the user's clothing. The attachment can also be through other
mechanisms, such as Velcro.
In a number of embodiments, the speaker described is assumed to
emit audio signals. In one embodiment, the speaker emits ultrasonic
signals. The glasses can be used, for example, as an insect
repellant by transmitting ultrasound to repel insects, such as
mosquitoes. In this embodiment, the one or more speakers broadcast
the ultrasonic signals away from the user. In other words, the
speakers face outwards, not inwards towards the user. In this
embodiment, the glasses, which can include a base, also has a power
source to provide power to the speaker. There can also be a control
knob to turn the one or more speakers on/off on the glasses. There
will be additional discussions on the control knob below.
In another embodiment, the glasses generating ultrasonic signals
can be used to produce audio signals that are more directional. For
example, two ultrasonic signals are generated by a speaker in the
glasses, with their difference frequencies being the audio signals.
The audio signals generated based on mixing the two ultrasonic
signals can be much more directional than audio signals directly
generated from the speaker.
Referring back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the glasses include a
microphone 110. The microphone 110 can be at the end of a temple
104 close to a lens holder 112. Or, the microphone 110 can be in
the lens holder 112, located directly adjacent to the temple 104.
In yet another embodiment, there can be a small protrusion
extending down from the temple to house the microphone.
With glasses having a microphone, one can use the glasses to record
voices into, for example, a storage medium. The storage medium can
be in the glasses, or can be in a base or a portable device
attached to the glasses.
Different types of microphones can be used. For example, they can
be electret microphones, crystal microphones, resistance
microphones, piezoelectric microphones or moving-coil
microphones.
In one embodiment, the glasses with a microphone also include a
speaker that can generate directional sound. A user can speak into
the microphone and his message can be transmitted from the glasses
in a more directional manner.
In another embodiment, the glasses also include a notification
electrical component to provide a notification to the user wearing
the glasses. The notification can be to notify, alert or display
information to the user. There can be a display located at the
inside 114 of the lens holder, or at the vicinity of the junction
116 or the hinge of a lens holder and its corresponding temple
facing the user. Or, there can be a display at the inside surface
of a temple, or at other locations on the glasses. The display can
be one or more light emitting diodes. To alert the user, one or
more diodes can blink. The blinking can be of a specific sequence.
Instead of diodes, the display can be a liquid crystal display. The
display can provide indications or information to the user. For
example, a number or a variable-height bar can be shown. Other than
visual indications, the notification or alert can be audio, like a
beeper.
In one embodiment, the notification electrical component is for
selecting a multimedia asset in a multimedia asset player in a pair
of glasses for the multimedia to play. The multimedia asset player
can be a MP3 player.
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been
described where electrical signals are transmitted to or from a
pair of glasses through a physical connection. In one embodiment,
electrical signals are wirelessly coupled to a pair of glasses. The
coupling can be short range or long range. The coupling can be
directly to the glasses, or to a base connected to a pair of
glasses. The glasses with wireless coupling capabilities can be
used to couple to a Bluetooth network, the Internet, a WiFi
network, a WiMax network, a cell-phone network or other types of
networks. The coupling can also be through a point-to-point link,
such as an infrared link. In different embodiments, the glasses
provide wireless communication capability for its user. In this
regard, the glasses contain wireless communications circuitry that
enables the eyeglasses to communicate in a wireless manner to, for
example, a wireless communication device (e.g., mobile telephone),
a portable computing device (e.g., Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA), handheld computer or wearable computer), or an entertainment
device (e.g., stereo system, television, media player (portable or
stationary)).
FIGS. 11A-11B show examples of some of the electrical components in
or tethered to a pair of glasses for wireless connections,
according to embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 11A, a
high frequency or RF antenna 602 wirelessly captures high frequency
or RF signals for RF transceiver circuits 604. If the transceiver
circuits are for a conventional superheterodyne system, the
transceiver circuits 604 mix the RF signals down to IF signals.
Then the IF signals are processed by baseband circuits. Digital
outputs from the baseband circuits are coupled to a processor 608
for analysis and synthesis.
Outputs from the processor 608 are fed to a D-to-A converter 610 to
generate audio signals for a speaker 612. Similarly, audio analog
signals from a microphone 614 can be fed to an A-to-D converter 616
to generate digital low frequency signals for the processor 608 and
then to the RF transceiver circuits 604. The low frequency signals
are up-converted by the RF transceiver circuits 604 and wirelessly
transmitted by the antenna 602.
In another embodiment, digital conversion is moved closer to the
antenna. For example, instead of mixing RF into IF signals, the RF
transceiver circuits 604 directly perform digital conversion from
the RF signals.
Typically, high frequency filters are used at the front end of the
RF transceiver circuits 604 for the RF signals. In one embodiment,
to save space, FBAR (film bulk acoustic resonator) duplexer is
employed. A set of piezoelectric filters can be used to separate
incoming and outgoing signals. For cell phone operation, such
filters can enable a user to hear and speak simultaneously. A
number of these electronic devices can be on a circuit board in the
glasses. Or, some of the devices are in the glasses, while other in
the base tethered to the glasses.
FIG. 11B shows another example of some of the electrical components
in or tethered to a pair of glasses for wireless connections
according to the present invention. In this embodiment, there does
not need to have digital data. A speaker 620 and a microphone 622
are connected to an analog interface circuit 624, which is coupled
to a RF transceiver circuit 626 and an antenna 628. For the speaker
application, the transceiver circuit 626 mixes the RF signals down
into IF signals, which are converted by the analog interface
circuit 624 into analog signals for the speaker 620. Similarly, for
the microphone application, its analog signals are converted into
the IF signals by the analog interface circuit 624 to be up
converted by the transceiver circuit 626 into RF signals for the
antenna 628. These types of circuitry are suitable for, such as,
simple radios, analog cell phones, CB radios, walkee-talkees,
police radios or intercom systems.
In one embodiment, most of the electrical components are not in the
glasses. The pair of glasses includes an antenna to capture the
wireless signals, and a connector. The wireless signals captured
are transmitted through the connector to electrical circuits
external to the glasses.
A number of processors have been described. The processors can use
different types of operating systems. In one embodiment, Symbian
Operating Systems are used. In another embodiment, operating
systems, such as TinyOS, are used. The operating system could be
programmed in C++ and then compiled into machine codes.
For privacy protection, signals can be encrypted before
transmission. Encryption can take significant computation power,
and may generate a fair amount of heat. In one embodiment,
encryption capabilities are located in a base tethered to the
glasses. There can be a fan inside the base. The fan can be turned
on during encryption. In another embodiment, the fan is activated
during other high capacity uses for heat dissipation purposes.
In yet another embodiment, there is a fan in the glasses. The fan
is located at a temple of the glasses, in the region close to its
lens holder. The fan is used to cool the wearer of the glasses.
In one embodiment, a pair of glasses has access to voice
recognition software. The software can be embedded in (a) the
glasses, (b) a base tethered to the glasses, (c) a portable device
wired or wirelessly coupled to the glasses or to the base, or (d) a
computing system wired or wirelessly coupled to the glasses. Or,
the software or firmware can be in more than one of the above
devices.
Glasses that can couple to signals wirelessly can be used in
different applications. For example, the glasses can be a cell
phone wireless head set, such as a Bluetooth cordless headset. Such
short-distance wireless technologies allow the headset to connect
to the user's cell phone without a wire. This would allow the user
to drive, eat or perform other functions without getting tangled in
a pesky wire.
In one embodiment, the cell phone is a VOIP (voice over Internet
protocol) phone.
In one embodiment, for the glasses operating as a cell phone head
set, the head set includes active noise cancellation mechanism. For
example, the glasses include two microphones. One microphone is for
capturing the voice of the user. But the microphone captures
ambient noise also. It can be embedded in a protrusion extending
from the end of the temple close to a lens holder, towards the
mouth of the user, as the microphone 110 in FIG. 1. Another
microphone can be located at the top of one of the lens holders
pointing away from the mouth of the user. This microphone is for
capturing ambient noise. As a first order approximation, outputs
from the two microphones could be subtracted from each other to
provide voice signals with noise reduced.
In yet another embodiment, the glasses with wireless coupling
capabilities also have a multimedia asset player, such as a MP3
player. The glasses can be used to receive music directly in
digital format over, for example, a data-capable network of a
mobile operator. The music can be received, for example, at a speed
of 16 Kbits per second, providing sound quality close to compact
disc. If the music is transmitted in a compressed manner, such as
in a MP3 format, then the music data can be received at a much
lower speed. In one embodiment, the glasses also have a microphone
and can serve as a cellular phone or a wireless headset of a
cellular phone.
In yet another embodiment, the glasses can serve as a radio, again
through electrical components in or tethered to the glasses. In
this embodiment, the glasses can include a tuner with one or more
control knobs. The knobs can be used to select channels and to set
the volume.
In one embodiment, a pair of glasses allows personalization by
including a preference indicator. The indicator allows a user to
provide his preference, such as on whatever is being output by the
glasses. In one example, the glasses also has a radio having a
speaker and with electrical components for wireless connection. In
this example, the indicator can be used by the user to provide his
preference regarding whatever is being played by the radio at that
time. This preference can be wirelessly transmitted from the
glasses to a third party. To illustrate, when the user is listening
to a piece of music, the user can indicate he likes the piece of
music by pressing a control knob on the glasses. This piece of
preference information is then transmitted and received by a
service provider, which is then informed of the user's preference.
Instead of a control knob, in another embodiment, the preference
indicator is a system with a microphone and voice recognition
software. The user can indicate his preference vocally.
In another example regarding the personalization process, the
glasses can serve as a multimedia asset player, such as a MP3
player. The song that the user has shown preference can be stored
in a storage device, which can be in the glasses.
FIG. 12 shows a process 650 according to one embodiment of the
present invention for a personalized radio.
Initially, a pair of glasses according to the present invention
receives 652 a piece of music from a radio station. That piece of
music is stored 654 in a buffer or a temporary storage area. This
temporary storage area can be in the glasses or tethered to the
glasses. The piece of music is also sent 656 to a speaker in the
glasses.
Assume that the user likes the music. Based on the preference
indicator, the user shows his preference. After the glasses receive
658 an indication of the user's preference, the glasses determine
660 the song corresponding to the indication. That piece of music
can then be moved 662 from the buffer to a permanent storage area,
such as into a flash memory. This would then allow the user to
subsequently access the piece of music.
There are different ways to determine 660 the song or the content
being played by the radio corresponding to the indication. For
example, one rule is that when the user pushes the preference
button or voices his preference, the song (or media asset or media
file) that is being played is the one the user likes. Since the
operating system knows what song is being played at what time,
based on the rule, the song of preference is determined. Another
rule is that when the user shows his preference, and there is no
song being played at that instance, the song immediately preceding
the break is the song of preference.
In another embodiment, the glasses can get 664 an identification
for the song of preference. For example, the glasses can ask the
user to provide an identification for the piece of music. This
identification can be the type of music, the singer, the name of
the music or other identification. In another embodiment, there can
be meta data embedded, such as in the beginning part of the music
(or media asset). Having such meta data embedded is not uncommon
for music in digital format. The meta data can include
identifications for the music. The glasses can get 664 such
identification. Based on the identification, the song is
categorized 666 accordingly, such as grouped with other songs
having the same identification. Such categorization process would
enhance the ease of accessing the song by the user at a later
time.
A number of control knobs have been described. FIG. 13 shows a
number of attributes 700 regarding control knobs according to the
present invention. The knobs can be of different physical structure
702. For example, a control knob can be a roller, a switch or a
push-button. A control knob serving as an up/down controller can
use two buttons, or a roller.
A control knob can be more intelligent 704. For example, a
push-button control knob can serve different purposes depending on
the duration the knob is being pushed. If a user pushes it for more
than three seconds, the knob serves as an on-off toggle switch. In
another example, a knob can serve multiple purposes, and the
specific purpose depends on the number of times the knob is
pushed.
A knob can also be programmed. A user can connect the glasses to a
computer and program the knob accordingly. For example, one can
program a knob such that if the knob is pushed more than three
seconds, the knob would serve as an on/off switch for the glasses.
As another example, a knob can provide reset to delete certain
information previously captured by a process and to allow
re-starting the process.
The location 706 of a control knob can vary for different
applications. A control knob can be located on the glasses. A
control knob can be on the top, the side or the bottom of the
temple. A control knob can be located at the inside of a temple
facing the user. Assume that there are a number of control knobs
and all of them are on the edges of a temple, except one. By being
at a position different from other control knobs, this knob can
serve a specific purpose. For example, it can be an on/off control
knob. In yet another embodiment, a control knob can be located in a
base tethered to the glasses.
The number 708 of control knobs can vary depending on operations.
For example, there is an on/off control knob and a volume up/down
control knob. If the glasses are used for cell phone headset
application, in one embodiment, there is also an answer/hang-up
control knob. If the glasses serve as a radio, in one embodiment,
there is also a tuning control knob, which can be two push buttons.
If the glasses serve as a CD player, in one embodiment, there is a
play control knob, a stop control knob, and a skip forward/backward
control knob. If the glasses serve as a multimedia asset player,
such as a MP3 player, in one embodiment, there is a save-this-song
control knob, a skip-forward/backward-song control knob and a
select-song-to-play control knob.
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been
described regarding audio signals. In one embodiment, the glasses
further serve as a camera.
FIG. 14 shows one embodiment of electrical components in a pair of
glasses with image capturing capabilities. A processor 752 is
coupled to a CCD interface chip 754 and then to a CCD chip 756.
Images focused by a lens 758 are captured and collected by the CCD
chip. In another embodiment, there is also be a flash controller
760 connected to the processor 752 to control a flash 762.
In one embodiment, a number of pixels of the CCD chip 756 are used
as light sensors. The pixels can be used to adjust the sensitivity
of the CCD chip 756 based on the amount of ambient light. For
example, if the outside environment is dim, it would take a longer
period of time to collect enough charges by the CCD chip 756 to
re-create the image. This implies that the integration time of the
CCD chip 756 should increase.
In yet another embodiment, the camera can pertain to a video
camera. The capacity of the memory 753 increases so as to store the
video images.
In one embodiment, the glasses do not offer adjustment on the image
distance. The CCD chip 756 can be located, for example, at the
focal point of the lens 758. In another embodiment, there is an
image distance control knob. For example, a mechanical lever can be
pre-programmed or pre-set to move the lens to one or more different
positions. One position can be for close-up shots, such as objects
from 2 to 4 ft, and another for scenic or vista images, such as
objects greater than 6 ft.
Depending on the embodiment, electrical components of a camera can
be in a pair of glasses, and/or a base tethered to the glasses,
and/or a portable device tethered to the glasses or to the base.
For example, the memory 753 can be in the base tethered to the
glasses.
The location of the lens 758 can vary depending on the embodiment.
In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, one location is at the
bridge of the glasses, with the lens of the camera facing forward.
In this situation, what the user sees is substantially what the
captured image would be. In other words, in a general sense, what
the user sees is what the user gets. With such an embodiment, it is
relatively easy for a user to take pictures, hands-free. In another
embodiment, another location for the lens 758 are at a side portion
adjacent to a lens holder, before the joint of the corresponding
temple, such as at 116 in FIG. 1. Again, the lens of the camera
faces forward. Some of the electrical components of the camera can
be in that location, and other components in the temple 104. These
components are electrically connected through one of the joints,
such as with a flexible pc board. In yet another embodiment, the
lens 758 can face sideways and outwards in a temple of a pair of
glasses, towards the left or right side of the user.
Regarding storing the images, in one embodiment, the images are
stored locally. One approach to determine which image to store is
the first-in-first-out approach. Once the camera is turned on, the
camera takes pictures continually in an automatic mode, such as
once every few seconds. When the memory becomes full or under other
pre-set or pre-programmed condition, the first picture stored will
be deleted when the next picture comes in. In another embodiment,
the digital content in one picture is compared to the digital
content in, for example, the fifth picture further down. If the
difference between the two is not more than a pre-set threshold,
the four pictures in between will be deleted. One approach to
determine the difference is by comparing the total charges
collected by the CCD chip for the two images. If the two sets of
charges do not differ by more than a certain threshold, the images
in between would be deleted.
The images captured can also be stored at a remote site. For
example, the glasses can upload the images to a computer,
wirelessly or through a wired connection from a connector at the
glasses.
FIG. 15 shows an operation 800 of taking certain actions based on
images captured by a pair of glasses with a wireless transceiver,
according to one embodiment of the invention. This operation can be
used by a police officer on patrol. Before the officer gets out of
his patrol vehicle to confront a suspect, the officer can inform
the station. At that point, the camera is turned on 802.
There can be different approaches to turn on the camera. In one
embodiment, an operator at the station can remind the officer to
turn on the camera. Or, the operator can remotely turn on the
camera. In yet another embodiment, the camera can be automatically
turned on under certain condition. One such condition is that if
the camera is out of the patrol vehicle, the camera is
automatically turned on. With the glasses having the capability to
wirelessly communicate with the patrol vehicle, one method to
detect if the glasses are out of the patrol vehicle is based on the
wireless signal strength of the glasses. The patrol vehicle can
detect the signal strength of the wireless signals, which depends
on the distance between glasses and the vehicle. A threshold can be
set. If the signal strength is below the preset threshold, the
glasses would be assumed to be out of the car, and the camera would
be automatically turned on.
After the camera is turned on 802, the glasses start to continually
take 804 pictures, such as once every few seconds. The pictures
taken are automatically transmitted back 806 to the patrol vehicle
in a wireless manner. In this situation, the patrol vehicle serves
as a hub, which stores the pictures. Then, the hub re-transmits 808
the pictures back to the station. Note that the pictures can be
compressed by standard algorithms before they are transmitted. This
compression mechanism can be performed by a computer in the patrol
vehicle. When the station gets the pictures, they are de-compressed
before being viewed, such as by the operator. The pictures enable
the operator at the station to see what the officer is confronting.
This effectively allows the operator at the station to perform
real-time monitoring of or for the officer. If it is a high risk
situation, the operator can quickly react 810, such as by
dispatching additional support for the officer. In one embodiment,
the glasses can include not only a camera but also a microphone for
audio pickup, such as sounds from the officer, suspect, witness or
environmental sounds (such as door opening, gun shot, etc.).
Regarding ownership of the glasses, the user can own the glasses.
In one embodiment, the user leases the glasses from a provider. For
example, the user leases a ski goggle with a camera. After the user
turns on the camera, as the user skis, the goggle automatically
takes pictures. Later, the user can return the goggle to the
provider or a kiosk, where the pictures can be retrieved and/or
stored. Alternatively, the goggle can include a wireless
transceiver and the images could be uploaded continually or
automatically to the provider or the kiosk via a wireless network.
The provider or the kiosk can transmit the images to a website,
such as a website associated with the user. In another embodiment,
the user picks up hardcopies of the images, e.g., a CD with the
images or a DVD with the video, from the provider or the kiosk.
In one embodiment, the glasses allow the user to enter his
identification. This can be done, for example, through a control
knob at the glasses. Such identification is then linked to the
images. Based on the identification, the user can return to the
provider or kiosk at a subsequent time to pick up the images
previously left behind.
In yet another embodiment, the pair of glasses with a camera also
has a speaker and a wireless transceiver. It can be used to
remotely control or direct the user wearing the glasses. FIG. 16
shows one such operation 850 according to one embodiment.
To illustrate the operation 850, assume that the user is a
paramedic helping a patient. The glasses continually take pictures
852 of objects directly in front of the paramedic, such as images
around four feet away from the eyes of the paramedic. The pictures
are wirelessly transmitted 854 to a remote site, such as a
hospital, to be viewed by a doctor. Again, this transmission can be
a two-step process. For example, pictures can be transmitted to the
paramedic's ambulance, which can then re-transmit to the remote
site. The first transmission from the glasses to the ambulance can
be through a low-power, short-range, broadband, wireless
transmission protocol. The second transmission from the ambulance
to the hospital can be through a much longer-range, higher power,
broadband, wireless transmission protocol. Again, compression and
de-compression techniques can be used to enhance the rate of
transmission by reducing the amount of data to be transmitted.
Based on the images, the doctor sends out voice messages to the
paramedic. These messages are wirelessly transmitted to and
received 856 by the glasses. The speaker in the glasses outputs 858
the messages to the paramedic.
In another embodiment, the glasses also have a microphone, which
allows the paramedic to communicate directly with the doctor
also.
In one embodiment, the glasses can take pictures and can be a
multimedia asset player. Pictures and the multimedia assets can
share the same memory storage device. In this situation, the
capacity for the multimedia assets and pictures can be
interrelated. For example, a user can take more pictures if there
are less multimedia assets, such as fewer songs in the storage
device.
A number of embodiments have been described regarding electrical
components in the temples of glasses. The locations selected are
for illustration purposes. In other embodiments, some of the
components are embedded fully or partially in other areas of the
glasses, such as the lens holders or the bridges of the glasses.
For example, there are glasses where there are shields at the edges
of the lens holders of the glasses. These shields can wrap around,
or better conform to the profile of, the face of the wearer. There
can be transparent or translucent windows on these shields also.
The shields are not limited to be in primary frames. They can be
in, for example, fit-over glasses, auxiliary frames or safety
glasses. To illustrate, in fit-over glasses, such shields can go
over or cover at least a portion of the primary frames. One or more
electrical components can be in such shields. In still another
embodiment, one or more electrical components can be in a strap
tied to the corresponding eyewear, such as a sports strap tied to
the corresponding sports eyewear. For example, the one or more
electrical components can be at least partially embedded in or
attached to a strap. As one particular example, an audio player or
wireless communication module can be at least partially embedded in
or attached to the strap. The strap may also provide electrical
conductors (that are attached or internal to the strap). Such
electrical conductors can be coupled to a speaker to produce audio
output to the speaker, or can be coupled to a microphone to receive
audio input from the microphone. The speaker and/or microphone can
also be attached to or integral with the strap.
Note that in one embodiment, a pair of glasses does not have to
include lenses. Also, a number of embodiments have been described
with a pair of glasses tethered to a base. In one embodiment, a
pair of glasses includes a base and a cord connecting the base to
the glasses.
In yet another embodiment, a pair of glasses also includes a
sensor. FIG. 17A is a chart 900 that depicts examples of sensors in
the glasses.
In one embodiment, the sensor is a "being worn" sensor. The "being
worn" sensor indicates whether the glasses are being worn by its
user. The "being worn" operation can be performed using, for
example, a thermal sensor, a motion detector, a stress sensor or a
switch.
In one embodiment, a motion detector is used as a "being worn"
sensor. A threshold can be set, such that if the amount of motion
exceeds the threshold, the eyewear is assumed to be worn. The
motion detector can, for example, be achieved by a mechanical means
or an accelerometer.
In another embodiment, the "being worn" sensor includes two thermal
sensors. One sensor can be at approximately the middle of a temple,
such as in a region that touches the head of the user wearing the
glasses. The other sensor can be at the end of the temple, close to
its hinge. If the temperature differential between the two sensors
is beyond a certain preset value, the eyewear would be assumed to
be worn. The differential is presumed to be caused by a person
wearing the pair of glasses.
In yet another embodiment, the "being worn" sensor includes a
stress sensor at the hinge of the temple. The assumption is that
when the eyewear is worn, the hinge is typically slightly stretched
because typically, the width of the head of the user is slightly
wider than the width between the temples when the two temples are
in the extended positions. If the value of the stress sensor is
beyond a certain preset value, the glasses would be assumed to be
worn.
In a further embodiment, the "being worn" sensor can be a switch.
For example, at the hinge between a temple and its corresponding
lens holder, there is a switch. When that temple is fully extended
outwards, the switch is turned on. The switch can be a pin. When
the temple is fully extended outwards, the pin is pressed. When
both temples are fully extended outwards, in one embodiment, the
glasses would be assumed to be worn by the user.
In one embodiment, another type of sensor is an environmental
sensor. The environmental sensor can sense environmental
conditions, such as one or more of ultraviolet radiation,
temperature (e.g., ambient temperature), pressure, light, humidity
and toxins (e.g., chemicals, radiation, etc.).
In another embodiment, another type of sensor is a condition
sensor. The condition sensor can sense the conditions of the user
of the glasses. Examples of physical sensors include sensing one or
more of distance traveled, location, speed, calories consumed,
temperature and vital signs associated with the user of the
glasses. The distance traveled could represent the horizontal
distance traveled or the vertical distance (i.e. elevation)
traveled. The speed can be the rate of movement along the
horizontal distance traveled and/or the vertical distance. In yet
another embodiment, the condition sensor can sense the emotional
conditions of the user of the glasses.
The sensors can be provided in a redundant or fault-tolerant
manner. For example, sensors can come in pairs in the glasses. When
one malfunctions, the other one will take over its operation. In
another embodiment, the sensor information can be processed in a
differential manner to examine changes to the sensor information.
The sensors can by powered by a battery, solar energy, or kinetic
energy. For reduced power consumption, the sensors can remain in a
low-power state unless data is being acquired by the sensors. In
yet another embodiment, two or more of the auxiliary sensors can
communicate with one another (wired or wirelessly) to exchange data
or control information.
A number of embodiments have been described regarding one or more
electrical components at least partially embedded in a pair of
glasses. In one embodiment, one or more electrical components are
at least partially embedded in a temple tip of a pair of glasses.
Temple tips are particularly common for wire or metal frames. The
pair of glasses has a first and a second lens holders for receiving
lenses. Each of the lens holders has a first side and a second
side. The pair of glasses has a bridge element that couples the
first side of the first lens holder to the second side of the
second lens holder. The pair of glasses also includes a first
temple and a second temple. The first temple is pivotally secured
to the second side of the first lens holder through a joint, while
the second temple is pivotally secured to the first side of the
second lens holder through another joint. A temple typically has
two ends, a first end and a second end. The first end can be the
end that is pivotally secured to a lens holder through a joint, and
the second end can be the other end of the temple. It is not
uncommon that a temple includes a main body and an enclosure that
grabs onto the main body of the temple. The second end is typically
where the enclosure grabs onto the main body. The enclosure can be
made of a different material than the main body of the temple. In
one embodiment, such an enclosure is a temple tip, and there is an
electrical component, partially or fully, embedded in the tip.
There can also be a connector, such as the connector 300 shown in
FIG. 5, at the temple tip. In another embodiment, the temple tip
can include a female connector, which can be similar to the female
connector 310 shown in FIG. 6B. As the temple tip grabs onto the
main body of the temple, the female connector can make electrical
contact with a male connector at the main body of the temple.
Typically, particularly before a pair of glasses has been
extensively worn, the temple tip can be removed and re-inserted
back on to the main body of the temple without a lot of
difficulties. Such a temple tip can be an after-market component,
with different temple tips having different electrical components
to serve different functions.
FIG. 17B is a diagram of a temple arrangement 910 according to one
embodiment of the invention. In this arrangement, a temple tip is
not considered as a part of the temple. The temple arrangement 910
includes a temple 912 that is associated with a pair of eyeglasses.
Over the end of the temple 912 that is opposite the associated lens
holder, a temple tip 914 is provided. The temple tip 914 can be
held to the temple 912 by frictional forces and/or adhesive. The
temple tip 914 includes at least one electrical component 916 that
is at least partially embedded therein. The temple tip 914 can be
manufactured and delivered to resellers or retailers as such.
Alternatively, the temple tip 914 can be separately provided as an
optional replacement temple tip for an existing temple tip. Hence,
as after manufacture, upgrade to the eyewear can be had through
replacing the existing temple tip with the replacement temple tip.
The colors and shapes of the temple tip 914 can vary widely. In the
after manufacturing environment, the reseller or retailer can be
provided with a range of different colors and shapes so that a user
can receive a replacement tip that reasonably matches the color and
shape of the temple or that provides an altered appearance as
desired by the user.
Besides a replacement temple tip such as illustrated in FIG. 17B, a
temple tip can also be effectively modified by a fit-over temple or
temple cover. FIG. 17C is a diagram of a temple cover 920 that at
least partially covers a temple (e.g., temple 912) according to one
embodiment of the invention. As another example, the temple cover
920 can be a fabric or other material, such as a sock or sleeve,
that slides over and at least partially covers a temple tip. The
temple cover 920 can include at one electrical component 922 that
is either attached thereto or at least partially embedded therein.
The temple cover 920 can also include an opening 924 so as to
received a temple or a temple tip. The temple cover 920 can be held
to a temple by frictional forces and/or adhesive. FIG. 17D is a
diagram of a fit-over temple 926 that at least partially fits over
a temple according to one embodiment of the invention. For example,
the fit-over temple 926 can at least partial fit-over a temple tip.
The fit-over temple 926 includes at one electrical component 928
that is either attached thereto or at least partially embedded
therein. The fit-over temple 926 can also include an opening 930 so
as to receive a temple. The fit-over temple 926 can be held to a
temple by frictional forces and/or adhesive. As an example, the
fit-over temple 926 can be plastic or other material. The colors
and shapes of the fit-over temple 926 can vary widely. In the after
manufacturing environment, the reseller or retailer can be provided
with a range of different colors and shapes so that a user can
receive a replacement temple cover or fit-over temple that
reasonably matches the color and shape of the temple or that
provides an altered appearance as desired by the user.
In one embodiment, a fit-over temple or temple cover according to
the invention can further include a connector or cable to
facilitate electrical connection with the at least one electrical
component that is either attached to a temple or a temple tip or at
least partially embedded therein.
In one embodiment, an electrical component is a component of an
electrical circuit, and the electrical circuit is for performing at
least a desired, intended or predetermined function.
A number of embodiments have been described above for an eyeglass
frame, i.e., primary frame, are also applicable to an auxiliary
frame. An auxiliary frame can attach to a primary frame through
different techniques, such as using clips. Another technique to
attach an auxiliary frame to a primary frame is by way of magnets.
Examples of using magnets as an attachment technique can be found,
for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,811, entitled, "EYEGLASS FRAMES
WITH MAGNETS AT BRIDGES FOR ATTACHMENT."
A number of embodiments have been described where one or more
electrical components are at least partially embedded in a pair of
glasses. In yet another embodiment, the one or more electrical
components are at least partially embedded in an eye mask.
FIG. 18 shows one embodiment 925 where one or more electrical
components are at least partially embedded in an eye mask 927. The
eye mask 927 includes a piece of fabric that is opaque so that when
the mask is worn, the mask wraps around the eyes to block light
from entering into the eyes of the user.
The embodiment 925 includes a wrapping mechanism to hold the fabric
onto the head of a user so that when the mask is worn by the user,
the mechanism allows the fabric to have a relatively tight and
comfortable fit over the face of the user. In one approach the
wrapping mechanism is achieved with the fabric in the shape of a
band and having a certain degree of elasticity. When the mask is
worn by the user, the elasticity of the fabric allows the mask to
establish a relatively tight fit over the face of the user. In
another example, the fabric is a long piece of material. The
wrapping mechanism includes a clip or Velcro at the two ends of the
piece of material to tie the two ends together. In another example,
the wrapping mechanism includes two elastic pieces of elastic
materials at the two ends of the fabric. To wear the mask, each
elastic piece of material goes over one of the ears of the user so
that the fabric establishes a relatively tight fit over the face of
the user. In yet another embodiment, the mask 927 includes a notch
935 to accommodate the nose of the user. In another embodiment,
there can be additional padding in the vicinity of the one or more
electrical components so that if an electrical component is pressed
against the user, the padding serves as a buffer or cushion.
In one embodiment, a speaker 929 can be at least partially embedded
in the mask 927, and can be positioned close to and facing one of
the ears of the user. The speaker 929, through an electrical
connector, is electrically connected to a cable 931. The cable 931
can also have a connector 933 at its distal end. The connector 933
can be plugged into another device, such as a MP3 player or a CD
player. After putting on the mask, with the connector 933 plugged
into the another device, the user would be able to hear, for
example, audio sounds such as music. The eyemask 925 can be applied
to different areas. For example, the user can be on a plane, and
would like to rest. The user can put on the eyemask 925, and plug
the connector 933 into a media outlet at an armrest of her seat in
the plane. Thus, the user can enjoy music while taking a rest. The
embodiment 925 could also include a plurality of speakers, such as
one for each of the user's ears.
In another embodiment, the eyemask 927 includes the speaker 929 and
a battery that is electrically connected to the speaker 929. The
battery can be in a pocket on the eyemask and can be replaceable.
The battery can also be a rechargeable battery, such as a
lithium-ion battery, and there is a connector at least partially
embedded in the eyemask. The connector can be used to recharge the
battery.
FIG. 19 shows another embodiment 950 where one or more electrical
components are at least partially embedded in a night cap 952. In
one embodiment, the cap 952 is at least partially made of fabric.
In another embodiment, the cap 952 is entirely made of fabric. The
cap includes a wrapping mechanism. When the cap is worn, the
wrapping mechanism holds the cap onto the head of the user, and
allows the cap to have a relatively tight and comfortable fit over
the head of the user. Again the wrapping mechanism can be an
elastic band at the base 963 of the cap 952. Or, the wrapping
mechanism can include clips or Velcro as previously described.
The cap can include at least one speaker 954, which is at least
partially embedded in the cap 952. When the cap 952 is worn by a
user, the speaker 954 is positioned close to and facing one of the
ears of the user. The speaker 954 can, for example, be electrically
connected through a connector to a device 962 in a pocket 960 on
the cap 952. The electrical connection can be through a cable 956
external to the cap 952. The cable 956 also can have a connector
958 to be plugged into the device 962. In another embodiment, the
cable 956 is embedded in the cap. The device 962 can be an asset
player, such as a MP3 player, with a battery. Through the connector
958, audio signals from the device 962 can be received by the
speaker 954 and heard by the user. There can be one or more
additional pockets on the night cap for one or more additional
electrical components. When worn, the night cap does not have to
cover the eyes of the user. In yet another embodiment, when worn,
the night cap further covers the eyes of the user, as shown in FIG.
19. In one embodiment, the embodiment 950 further includes padding
in the vicinity of an electrical component to serve as a buffer or
cushion between the user and the electrical component.
A number of embodiments have been described involving a speaker in
an eyemask or a night cap. In one embodiment, the audio output from
the speaker can serve to cancel the environmental sounds in the
vicinity of the user. For example, if the user is on an airplane,
the surrounding environmental sound has a relatively high level of
white noise. This white noise can be detected by a pickup device
and cancelled by noise cancellation circuitry provided within the
eyemask or night cap. Namely, the audio output from the speaker
serves to cancel the white noise of the user's environment. In
another embodiment, the electrical component embedded or partially
embedded is not a speaker, but can be a sensor, which can sense a
physiological function of the user.
FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating a temple 1000 having a slot for
receiving a removable electronic device 1002 according to one
embodiment of the invention. In one example, the removable
electronic device 1002 can be a memory storage device, sometimes
referred to as a memory card. As shown in FIG. 20A, the removable
electronic device 1002 is inserted into the slot. Although the slot
could be electrically non-functional, typically the slot provides
an avenue for the removable electronic device 1002 to be physically
and electrically connected to electrical circuitry within the
temple 1000 or elsewhere within the eyeglass frame. FIG. 20B is a
diagram illustrating the temple 1000 having a recessed lower
portion 1004 according to another embodiment of the invention. The
recessed lower portion 1004 facilitates the insertion and removal
of the removable electronic device 1002. In either embodiment, the
removable electronic device can be manually inserted and removed or
can use more complicated mechanical mechanisms to assist with the
insertion and removal (e.g., spring-based push and release
structure).
FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams illustrating a pair of glasses 2100
having a camera 2101 coupled thereto, according to one embodiment.
The camera includes an image sensor 2102 and a camera housing 2106
(also referred to as a camera support arm). In this embodiment, the
camera 2101 is rotatably coupled to an exterior surface of a temple
2104 of the pair of glasses 2100. The camera support arm 2106 is
attached to the temple 2104. The camera support arm 2106 can couple
to the temple 2104 using a hinge 2108. In one implementation, the
hinge 2108 can use a spring or cam mechanism so that the camera
support arm 2106 is held either against the temple 2104 when not in
use or held in an open or extended position when in use. FIG. 21A
illustrates one position of the camera support arm 2106 when the
camera 2101 is not in use. FIG. 21B illustrates one position of the
camera support arm 2106 when the camera 2101 is in use. The
presence of the camera 2101 with the pair of eyeglasses 2100
enables a wearer of the pair of eyeglasses 2100 to take pictures of
what the wearer is looking at. It should be noted that other
supporting circuitry such as data storage for pictures, switches,
battery, and electronics for the camera 2101 can be in the temple
2104, in the camera support arm 2106, elsewhere in the pair of
glasses 2100, or even tethered thereto. However, in one
implementation, the camera 2101 is completely self-contained in the
camera housing 2106. In one embodiment, the hinge 2108 can also
serve as a switch to turn the image sensor 2102 on or off.
In one implementation, to improve overall appearance of the pair of
glasses 2100, the temple 2100 can provide a recess for receiving
the camera support arm 2106 when the camera is not being utilized.
Such may improve the aesthetic appearance of the pair of glasses
2100.
In another implementation, the pair of glasses 2100 can further
provide a viewfinder. The viewfinder can assist the user in
directing the image sensor 2102 towards whenever the user desired
to photograph. The viewfinder can be a separate apparatus that is
extended by user action or can be a viewfinder that is visually
present or presented on one of the lenses. In one example, the
viewfinder can be an extendable viewer through which the user can
look through to determine the field of reference of the image
sensor 2102. The viewfinder can be extendible from either of the
temples, such as in a telescoping, sliding or flipping action.
Additionally, when the camera support arm 2106 is extended, a
viewfinder can be automatically initiated. For example, indicators
on one of the lens can be visually presented, such as through
optical projection from one or more light sources. In another
embodiment, the viewfinder can be always present, such as with
indicators on one of the lens of the pair of glasses 2100. The
indicators can be a few faint dots to define an area (e.g., a
square) on the lens.
In one embodiment, the camera support arm (camera housing) 2106 is
removably coupled to the hinge 2108. As such, the camera 2101 can
be removed from or attached to the pair of glasses 2100. Indeed,
the camera support arm (camera housing) 2106 can be a camera body
that houses electronics for the camera 2101. In such case, the
camera 2101 can operate as a camera apart from the pair of glasses
2100.
In one implementation, the camera support arm 2106 has a connector
and the hinge 2108 has a counterpart connector. In one example, the
connectors are peripheral bus connectors, such as USB connectors.
In such case, the camera support arm 2106 can be attached and
removed from the pair of glasses 2100. Such a connection via the
connectors can be electrically functional or non-functional. If
functional, electrical components in the pair of glasses 2100 can
be electrically connected to electrical components in the camera
2101.
Still further, in one embodiment, the connector at the end of the
hinge 2108 enables connection of a variety of different peripheral
devices to the pair of glasses 2100. For example, the different
peripheral devices (portable electronic devices) can be the camera,
a memory card, or a media player. In one embodiment, electrical
components integral with the pair of glasses 2100 can be shared by
the different peripheral components. The hinge 2108 is not
necessary in other embodiments, see FIGS. 8F-8H, where a connector
is attached or integral with a temple of a pair of glasses. If
desired, the camera 2101 or other peripheral devices can include in
its structure a hinge or other mechanism to permit positioning the
camera or other peripheral devices.
In still another embodiment, an angled or hinged adapter can be
inserted between a connector attached to the pair of glasses 2100
and a connector of the camera 2101 or other peripheral devices. The
adapter can be electrically functional or non-functional.
In yet in another embodiment, a pair of glasses functioning as a
headset with a speaker and a microphone further includes a camera.
FIG. 22 is a diagram of a pair of glasses 2200 having a camera
according to one embodiment of the invention. The glasses 2200
include a temple 2205 that has a microphone 2204, a speaker 2206
and a camera 2208 with a connector 2210. The connector 2210 is for
connecting, for example, to another electronic device that provides
at least one of data or information transfer capabilities or a
power source for the glasses.
In one embodiment, the camera 2208 is a digital camera with an
on/off switch 2212. For example, the camera 2208 is a CCD camera
including a CCD controller coupled to a CCD chip to capture images,
a CCD memory device and a lens.
In one embodiment, with the connector 2210 connected to another
electronic device (e.g., a portable electronic device), when the
switch 2212 is pushed on, the CCD chip takes a picture. The charges
in the CCD chip are digitized and transmitted through the connector
2210 to the other electronic device, under the management of the
controller. At least some of the charges can be temporarily stored
in the CCD memory device, for example, to accommodate the
differences in speed in taking pictures and sending the pictures to
the portable device through the connector. In this embodiment,
images can be stored at the other electronic device. In another
embodiment, the glasses can include sufficient data storage
capabilities to store the pictures, at least until transferred to
another electronic device.
In one embodiment, the glasses do not offer focusing capability.
The CCD chip can be located, for example, at the focal point of the
lens. In another embodiment, there is an image distance control
knob. For example, a mechanical lever can be pre-programmed or
pre-set to move the lens to one or more different positions. In one
implementation, there can be just two positions. One position can
be for close-up shots and another for distance shots, such as
close-up being about 2 ft from the lens and the distant being about
6 ft away; or close-up being about 8 inches away and distant being
about 2 ft away.
FIG. 22 shows one embodiment regarding the location of the camera
2208 at the end of the temple or arm 2205 of the glasses 2200 next
to the hinge. The lens of the camera faces forward. In this
situation, what the user sees is substantially what the captured
image would be. In other words, in a general sense, what the user
sees through the glasses is what the user gets, without the need
for an additional view finder. With such an embodiment, it is
relatively easy for a user to take pictures, hands-free, without
the need for an additional strap for holding the camera.
The connector 2210 at the end of the glasses 2200 can be, for
example, a 4-terminal connector, one for ground, one for power and
the other two for transmit and receive signals. In another
embodiment, the connector 2210 can be a 3-terminal connector, with
the power line and one of the signal lines sharing one
terminal.
Regarding the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the speaker 2206 can be
in the glasses, with a tube 2216 and an ear bud 2218, to help bring
audio signals to the user. In one embodiment, the tube 2216 can be
rotated at its end where it connects to the glasses. In another
embodiment, the speaker 2206 can be provided at the ear bud
2218.
In one embodiment, the CCD chip with the CCD memory device and the
CCD controller are on the same integrated circuit.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 22 also includes a microphone 2204. In
one embodiment, the CCD memory device also stores audio signals
from the microphone 2204. For example, the memory device stores a
duration of time, such as the last 15 seconds, of audio signals.
When the user takes a picture, a duration of time before taking the
picture, such as the previous 15 seconds, audio signals can be
coupled to the picture. Another duration of time after taking the
picture, such as the next 10 seconds, of audio signals can also be
coupled to the picture. In one embodiment, the audio picked up can
include environmental sounds present at that time. The audio
signals or the digitized version of the audio signals can also be
transmitted to the other electronic device with the corresponding
picture. In the future, if the user wants to view the picture, the
audio signals can be played with the picture at the same time. As
another example, the user can provide an auditory annotation to the
pictures being taken. Here, the user can leave a specific audio
message to be associated with the picture. For example, the user
might take a picture of his childhood home and record an audio
annotation, "This is where I grew up".
In one embodiment, a pair of glasses functions as a headset with a
speaker, a microphone and a camera. The pair of glasses can be
coupled to another electronic device through a connector of the
glasses. Additional electrical components, such as those in the
other electronic device, like a portable device, for the glasses
can be incorporated in the glasses. For example, the power source
can also be in the glasses and the glasses do not have to include a
connector. In one embodiment, the glasses include non-volatile
memory to store at least a number of pictures. In another
embodiment, the glasses further include a connector to receive a
memory card, such as a flash memory device. The card can be a
standard memory card with a USB connector. Pictures taken can be
stored in the removable memory card.
In yet another embodiment for the glasses with a camera, the
glasses do not include a speaker or a microphone. The glasses
include a temple that has a CCD controller coupled to a CCD chip, a
CCD memory device and a lens. The temple also includes an on/off
switch with a connector. The connector is for connecting, for
example, to a portable device that includes at least a power source
for the camera.
In still another embodiment, an auditory feedback by a speaker is
provided or coupled to a pair of glasses. For example, a clicking
or "snapshot" sound can be output when a picture is taken (such as
when a user initiates the picture taking).
Additional disclosure on camera in glasses can be found in U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/583,169, filed on Jun. 22, 2004,
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
A number of electrical components have been described. They can be
on circuit boards, which can be made of flexible materials. They
can be on a substrate. They can also be integrated into one or more
integrated circuits.
FIG. 23A is a diagram of a pair of glasses (i.e., eyeglass frame)
2300 having a camera according to one embodiment of the invention.
The eyeglass frame 2300 illustrated in FIG. 23A includes a lens
holder 2302 holding a lens 2304 and a lens holder 2306 holding a
lens 2308. The eyeglass frame 2300 also includes temples 2309 and
2310. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23A, the temple 2310 includes
a camera 2312, supporting electronics 2314 and a switch (e.g.,
button) 2316. In one embodiment, the camera 2312 includes a CCD
chip. The camera 2312 can also include a lens and buffer memory. In
one embodiment, the electronics 2314 illustrated in FIG. 23A can be
embedded within the temple 2310. The electronics 2314 can include
at least a microcontroller (e.g., an image processor), a memory,
and a battery. These electronics 2314 can support the camera 2312.
The eyeglass frame 2300 can further include various other
electrical components. For example, the eyeglass frame 2300 can
further include one or more of: a microphone, an earphone, a
removable memory, a display, a clock, and a Global Positioning
System (GPS). These electrical components can be used in
conjunction with the camera 2312 or separately from the camera
2312. The button 2316 enables a wearer of the eyeglass frame 2300
to turn the camera 2312 on/off and/or to cause a picture to be
taken (recorded). For example, by pushing the button 2316 for more
than a few seconds, the camera will be turned off. However, by
pushing and releasing the button 2316, the camera takes a
picture.
Still further, in the embodiment of the eyeglass frame 2300 shown
in FIG. 23A, the eyeglass frame 2300 further includes a view finder
2318 and an angled surface 2320. Other embodiments of eyeglass
frames need not include such features. Nevertheless, the view
finder 2318 can assist a wearer (i.e., user) of the eyeglass frame
2300 in understanding the frame of the image (picture) being
captured by the camera 2312. In this example, the view finder 2318
is provided on the lens 2304 in a visible, yet non-distracting
manner. As shown in FIG. 23A, the view finder 2318 can be
positioned such the wearer can direct the image (picture) to be
captured. For example, the wearer would orient their head (using
the view finder 2318) to direct the camera 2312 towards the desired
subject. Also, the angled surface 2320 allows mounting the camera
2312 in an angled manner. As a result, the direction of the camera
2312 is not straight forward but out towards the side. This
facilitates the wearer in directing the camera 2312 using a single
eye via the lens 2304, and more particularly via the view finder
2318 if provided. The outward angle from straight forward being
utilized by the camera 2312 can vary with implementation. For
example, the outward angle can be in the range of 10-70 degrees or
more particularly in the range of 15-60 degrees, or more
particularly in the range of 20-40 degrees from the perpendicular
direction of the plane of a front surface of the eyeglass frame
2300. In one embodiment, with the camera positioned at an angle,
the lens holder 2302 would not block the field of view of the
camera even with the camera being positioned at a distance behind
the lens holder 2302.
Although the camera 2312 is provided on the left side of the pair
of glasses 2300 as shown in FIG. 23A, it should be understood that
the camera could alternatively or additionally be provided on the
right side of the glasses.
FIG. 23B is a diagram of a pair of glasses (i.e., eyeglass frame)
2300' according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the
eyeglass frame 2300' is similar to the eyeglass frame 2300
illustrated in FIG. 23A. However, the eyeglass frame 2300' further
includes a connector 2322 and a memory card 2324. More
particularly, the temple 2310 includes a region 2326 larger than
the temple region shown in FIG. 23A. The larger or enlarged region
can provide additional space for the connector 2322 and the memory
card 2324. The memory card 2324 can be operatively connected
electrically to the electronics 2314 within the temple 2310 via the
connector 2322. The connector 2322 also can serve to provide a
physical connection of the memory card 2324 to the eyeglass frame
2300. In one embodiment, such physical connection is removable so
that the memory card 2324 can be connected to or removed from the
temple 2310. Accordingly, the memory card 2324 can facilitate
porting of data or information (e.g., pictures) from the eyeglass
frame 2300' to another electronic device (e.g., computer). As an
example, the connector 2322 can be a USB connector or other
peripheral type connector.
The eyeglass frame having a camera according to one embodiment of
the invention can further include one or more sensors. For example,
the one or more sensors can include one or more of a "being worn"
sensor, a motion sensor, and a light sensor. These sensors can be
used to influence operation of the camera provided with the
eyeglass frame. For example, a "being worn" sensor can be used to
determine whether the eyeglass frame is being worn by a user. If
the eyeglass frame is not being worn, then the camera can be
deactivated to prevent unnecessary battery consumption and/or to
prevent pictures from being taken. As an example, if the camera is
operated to automatically, periodically take a picture, then if the
eyeglasses are not being worn, the automatic picture taking process
could be stopped. In one embodiment, a motion sensor can be used in
a variety of ways. A motion indication can indicate a rate of
activity of the user. For example, the rate of activity could be
used to avoid taking pictures during periods of high activity, such
as rapid movements of the eyeglass frame (or the corresponding
user), or to influence image processing, such as exposure rate. As
another example, the rate of activity can be used to control the
rate pictures are taken such as in the automatic picture taking
example. In one embodiment, a light sensor can indicate the degree
of light in the vicinity of the camera. The light indication can
influence the image processing, such as exposure rate of the
camera.
In one embodiment, in an automatic picture taking example, the
location, time or device resources (e.g., available memory) can
also be used to control the rate pictures are taken. Also, the
ability of the eyeglass frame to know or acquire time and/or
location information (such as the location of the eyeglass frame or
the corresponding user) can enable pictures taken by the camera to
be stored along with time and/or location indications.
The eyeglass frame having a camera according to one embodiment of
the invention can further include a global positioning system
(GPS). The information from the GPS can be used to alter
configuration settings and/or influence operation of the camera.
For example, the configuration settings can be different at night
versus during daytime or can be different depending on time or
location. As another example, the camera can take pictures
depending on location. In one implementation, the camera can
automatically take pictures dependent on a change in location. For
example, after taking a picture, the camera can take a subsequent
picture when the change in location exceeds a predetermined
threshold.
In one embodiment, the camera utilized in the various embodiments
is a digital camera, namely, a digital image capture device. The
camera can be a still camera or a motion camera (i.e., video
camera). The camera can be designed for manual focusing,
auto-focusing, or predetermined fixed focusing. The camera can also
support a wide angle or panoramic view.
FIG. 24 is a side view of a pair of eyeglasses (i.e., eyeglass
frame) 2400 according to another embodiment of the invention. The
eyeglasses 2400 include a lens holder 2402 for a lens 2404. The
lens holder 2402 is for the left side of the eyeglasses 2400. A
bridge 2406 couples the lens holder 2402 to another lens holder for
the right side of the eyeglasses. In this embodiment, the lens 2404
and the lens holder 2402 extend substantially around the side and
are sometimes referred to as "wrap-around" type frames. The
eyeglasses 2400 include a temple having a forward temple portion
2408 and a rearward temple portion 2410. Typically, the lens holder
2402, the temple 2406, the forward temple portion 2408 and the
rearward temple portion 2410 are integrally formed as a single
structure. The eyeglasses 2400 also support audio output to a
wearer of the eyeglasses 2400. To support audio, the eyeglasses
2400 include an ear bud 2412, which serves as a speaker, and an
extension arm 2414. In this embodiment, the extension arm 2414
couples the ear bud 2412 to the forward temple portion 2408. The
extension arm 2414 can be pliable so that the wearer can adjust the
position of the ear bud 2412. In further support of audio, the
eyeglasses 2400 couple to a cable 2416. The cable 2416 provides
audio signals to the ear bud 2412 via at least one electrical
conductor extending through the cable 2416 and the extension arm
2414 to the ear bud 2412. In one implementation, one end of the
cable 2416 has a connector 2418 and the other end is integral with
or connected to the forward temple portion 2408. The connector 2418
can connect to a media output device, such as a portable media
player (e.g., radio, MP3 player, CD player, etc.). In another
implementation, the cable 2416 can have a connector, such as a
plug, that connects to a jack 2420 embedded in the forward temple
portion 2408, thereby allowing the cable 2416 to detach from the
eyeglasses 2400. Alternatively, the cable 2416 can directly connect
to the media output device without the use of the connector 2418.
Optionally, the eyeglasses 2400 can also support audio input by
providing a microphone with the eyeglasses 2400. In one embodiment,
with a microphone, the eyeglasses 2400 serve as a headset for a
phone.
Regardless of the electrical components being utilized with the
eyeglass frames, it may be desirable for the eyeglass frames to be
substantially balanced in weight. In the event that electrical
components are attached and/or at least partially embedded in one
of the temples of the eyeglass frame, the other of the temples can
include other electrical components or even a counter weight so
that the eyeglass frame can be substantially balanced.
The various embodiments, implementations and features of the
invention noted above can be combined in various ways or used
separately. Those skilled in the art will understand from the
description that the invention can be equally applied to or used in
other various different settings with respect to various
combinations, embodiments, implementations or features provided in
the description herein.
A number of embodiments in the invention can be implemented in
software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. A
number of embodiments of the invention can also be embodied as
computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer
readable medium is any data storage device that can store data
which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the
computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access
memory, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and
carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed
over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable
code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will
become obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention may
be practiced without these specific details. The description and
representation herein are the common meanings used by those
experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the
substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other
instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and
circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring aspects of the present invention.
Also, in this specification, reference to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be
included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The
appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in
the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually
exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in
process flowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments
of the invention do not inherently indicate any particular order
nor imply any limitations in the invention.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with
the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the
following claims.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with
the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the
following claims.
* * * * *
References